I am currently in St Jean Pied de Port, a town at the base of the Pyrenees in southwest France. This is the beginning of the main route of the Camino de Santiago, which I will follow into Spain for the next 8 days. I am definitely "changing gears" now. Gone are the trains, the bustle, the cool weather, and the familiarity of northern Europe. And of course, Brad, who I've been travelling with and said goodbye to in Paris yesterday. I will be on foot for the next 8 days, with nothing to do but walk, think, reflect, and take care of myself (food and water and of course shelter by the end of each day).
If there was any transition day it was yesterday. I found myself asking "Why am I doing this?" a few times. After a relaxing train ride from Paris to Bourdeaux where I sat beside a nice lady whom I practiced French with, my second train from Bourdeaux to Bayonne was stifling hot and crowded, sun blazing in across the countryside. English is not spoken much at all in Bayonne (where I spent the night) and is fourth to Basque, French, and Spanish. I got by though, thanks to some studying and hugely to the nice lady on the train who really helped me out. As if the day wasn't challenging enough I discovered what I hoped was a heat rash on my shoulders before bed last night... but just as likely they are bedbug bites.
But I've left the city behind and am in the mountains now. It's cool and early and the day feels promising. I'm not sure when my next update will be, but hopefully in the next few days from Roncesvalles or Pamplona. 'Till then!
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