Camino de Santiago
Thankfully there were no surprises in our traveling and we all made it to Madrid airport just fine. It reminded me of one of my favorite movies “Love Actually” whose ending scene is of the arrivals gate at Heathrow… everyone happy to see their family members and loved ones arrive safely. That’s how I felt coming out of customs at the Madrid airport into a room with 200 people, some with flowers, excited to welcome the weary travelers. Only, i was looking for Drew and Steve who got there an hour earlier. (Though Drew did enjoy a bus ride to all 4 terminals, finally ending up at the right one) Fortunately for all of us, Drew was easy to spot wearing a day-glo green shirt he bought at a thrift store for $1. Spotted him from several gates away.
We taxied to the train station and explored Madrid Parque
before taking a train to Pamplona… about 3.5 hours away. The Spanish countryside looks a lot like the American Southwest… but with some really cool castles thrown in every 45 minutes or so.
In Pamplona we met up with the fourth Amigo, Terry, who had arrived a day earlier. Another 1.5 hour taxi drive across the Pyrenees mountains with car sick worthy twisty roads in the pouring rain and we arrived safely at our starting point, St Jean Pied de port. (Foot of the pass).
Here’s our view of the old city gates from our room:
Lastly, here’s our hotels wifi password! Holy cow! What?
We were beat after a day and a half of traveling to get here, and sadly it continued to rain. This was Terry’s first time ever in France, and we agreed to celebrate it by having that very traditional French dish for dinner…. Pizza and beer. Delicieux!
Hike starts tomorrow!