Maybe I can do this!

It's about 3 in the afternoon, and we've just finished our  first day of the Camino!  I'm happy to report that I actually slept  about seven hours last night, and we made it to the train station without a hitch.  We arrived in St. Jean about 9:30, got our bearings, went to the pilgrim office and registered, and then ate some breakfast before beginning our hike.

Most folks do  the 27km from St. Jean  to Roncesvalles in one stage. the problem is that this isthe steepest stage of the Camino, with a fairly hazardous descent right as you come in to Roncesvalles.  This is the stage where the most injuries happen.  Because of that, and the fact that i just arrived last night, we decided to take it easy and only do 10km today.  I am glad we did.

First day reflections:  my pack is too heavy, I'm carrying too many clothes, buying a walking stick was a very smart move, and I can't wait to get back to Spain where people speak a language I understand.  It was also a very wise idea to invest in good socks at $14/pair.

I could not imagine a more beautiful setting or weather for hiking.  its in the mid 70s but humid, with big fluffy clouds.  i am still having trouble posting pictures, so you may have to look at my Facebook page or wait until I get somewhere with a real internet connection (I'm posting this via iPhone and a data connection).

At risk of infuriating my parents, since they do occasionally keep an eye on this blog, I think I can preliminarily state that we will all have to adjust to A LOT of time spent together over the next month. I think I counted about five stops for items that werepacked and about 15 required photo shoots before we even left St. Jean.  I am trying remember that we are not in a hurry.

We have already met several wonderful people.  A man around my age introduced himself on the train, his name is Joan (think John) and he travelled from Lisbon to RUN the Camino.  He will meet up with us again tomorrow night.  We also met a young lady named Justine from Arizozna.  She had just been discharged from the Marines, having spent her entire enlistment in Afganistan, and was celebrating by doing the Camino.  We also met a very nice couple from Madrid, and even ran into a troop of Boy Scouts from North Carolina who are walking to raise funds for cancer research.  I am happy to report that they were not moving up the hill any faster than we were.

We lucked out in the hostel tonight - we have a private room and bath!  All this, dinner, and breakfast for EUR 32, which is expensive as afar as these kinds of places go.  It's nice to have the afternoon to relax, and I feel a hot shower calling my name, plus laundry is in order.