We wake up early, about 4:45 a.m. We shower, and a shower never felt so good, washing off all the travel grime of the past two days.

We have a few tasks to complete today. First on the list, go to the Pilgrims’ Office to register and receive our Pilgrim Passport and scallop shell. The woman working in the Pilgrims’ Office was from Ireland, and she mentioned my “good” name and wished us “Buen Camino.”

Next up, breakfast at our hotel. I have to say, probably one of the top five breakfasts I have ever had. Toast with butter and jam. Fresh orange juice. Two double espressos. A plate with eight pastries, two of each kind. Fruit salad with fruit chopped up into tiny-tiny pieces that you could mix with a small amount of fresh unsweetened yogurt. Fresh apple sauce. Lemon cake. Jambon (thin sliced ham) with soft Saint-Nectaire cheese. I haven’t noticed many overweight people, if any, but quite a few smokers.

Then to a store specializing in hiking gear to replace my sun hat that I lost before we left Portland. Also purchased a few lightweight water bottles.

It was a warm day, in the low 80s, and we walked around Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. We decide to eat lunch at Cafe Ttapia. Fortunately for us, the menu is in French and English. We settle on a few starters…assiette de charcuterie et guindillas (plate of charcuterie and guindillas, a tiny green pepper) and croquetas jambon/fromage (croquettes with ham and cheese). Dessert is a small scoop of chocolate ice cream with whipped cream for me. Gordon has Basque cake. Delicious! I was so thirsty, and drank a lot of water, although every table around us was drinking wine or beer, no exception. Some people were smoking. A dog sat at one table and barked. I tried to stay patient when our check didn’t come right away, but found out they didn’t present the check to you, you paid on your way out. Gordon heads to the ATM so we have some Euros for the next few days.

We head back to our room, still suffering from jet lag, and take a brief nap. Then pack for what will be our first day walking tomorrow. We are ready to go first thing in the morning. I hope.

Private Page