Getting Here

28 hours of travel

“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” Pablo Picasso

Getting here was its own adventure. Lightning storms and missed flights - three planes, two trains, and a two hour taxi ride - and so much walking (and sometimes running!) in airports and train stations. Yet all the while I was reminding myself that this is my Camino - it has begun already.

When I had missed my flight to Madrid in Charlotte because my connecting flight was delayed - and the lovely airline assistant told me there were no other flights to Madrid for 24 hours, I took a deep breath and told myself “this is my Camino”, when suddenly she said “oh wait, I can put you on a flight to London and from there to Madrid.”

On the plane, above the clouds, a four year old looked out at the cloudscape and shouted “what is this place - heaven?”

On the train from Madrid to Pamplona, miles of flat terrain, becoming rolling hills, becoming mountains.

And the taxi ride from Pamplona to St. Jean Pied du Port through the Pyrenees was exquisitely beautiful - but I was too tired and we were going too fast to take photos.

At last I made it here at around 8pm, walked around a bit, had a delicious meal and a good long sleep.

I am here!

Peace and Love from the foot of the pass (pied du port)

Peeka