The last ‘stressful’ thing in my travels was to make sure I woke up in time for the train. Nailed it! I learned how to order a ‘double espresso’ to get me through the jet lag.
I also learned not to be an hour early for the train. They didn’t even list my train on the screens until 20 minutes before, so my endless laps on the station looking for it were not useful.
Trains are so rad.
When it finally did pop up on the screen, I went through to the platform, found my cabin and settled in. The train pulled out at exactly 7:48AM and the ride was smooth and pleasant. The WiFi is free, and the views are great! Trains rock.
The train arrived exactly on time to the station where I transferred to the train that goes to Saint Jean Pied de Port. We were only a short way down the tracks when the train had to stop for a tree on the tracks. The train was full of people from all over the world. There was an employee trying to explain what was happening, and she was cycling through French, Spanish, and some other languages I couldn’t identify. There was this humorous moment where flitting bits of translation cycled through the cars as people who could understand were helping those who couldn’t.
We reversed back to the train station, where we were put on buses. The buses got us to SJPDP with no problems, and just a little but of rain.
Apparently, this journey is getting ever more popular, as the entire town is booked full for tonight. I had a reservation, so I was good to go. I found a pocket knife in the gear store (the only thing I couldn’t pack along on the airplane). I went to the Pilgrim office where a very friendly Englishman stamped my passport and gave me information. I’ve already met many people. ‘Tis a friendly bunch!
I went for a short walk around town, very quaint place. When I checked into my Albergue, the very friendly host (Eric) gave the rules of the Camino. He also explained, as it had started thunder-storming, that it does not rain in Basque country. He said that, ‘’When God looks upon such a beautiful land, he begins to cry. People say it rains a lot in Basque country, but they are just jealous of its beauty.’’
You have to picture it with A very heavy French accent, and very enthusiastic gestures.
I ate more cheese and bread for dinner, and chatted with a nice English woman named Ruth.