One day I decided to go for a walk…

THE ON RAMP TO THE CAMINO

September 1, 2023 4:00 pm

31 august 2023, camino 3, day 1

Pamplona to Puenta la Reina

17.65 miles from rising to bed

Our past caminos started in St. Jean Pied de Port on the French side of the Pyrenees mountains. It’s a traditional start to the Camino Frances and about 400 pilgrims begin their walk each day. We, however are starting in Pamplona so this is about the fourth day for most pilgrims. We started in there because Glen and I have already walked over the Pyrenees and in fact I have walked them a twice (2019 and 2021). I now feel like I have nothing to prove.

Pamplona is just off the picture on the left

So on today’s journey, which is no stroll in the park as you can see in the elevation profile, I met an American man. I asked him where he started from and he said, “Saint Jean Pied de Port. Where did you start from?”. When I told him I started from Pamplona he responded, “Oh”, which spoke volumes to me. What he was really saying is real pilgrims start in SJPdP and brave the mountains. So I looked at him and said, “So Mister I walked the Pyrenees like a real pilgrim, I have walked them twice and I don’t need to prove anything”. He smiled a little sheepishly and said, “yes”.

So if there’s a message for today it’s this…everybody has their own pilgrimage in life and no journey is better or worse than another. Do what’s right for you and do the best you can. And be kind to those you meet on the way. You don’t know what their journey is.

Buen Camino