St Jean Pied de Port (Mile 0} to Espinal 19.2
September 20, 2023
French Pyrenees is where we start. Almost all road walking and uphill. We couldn't get a stay in Orison, so we hiked all the way to Roncevalles, Spain.
Our first Camino dinner spegetti and fresh bread. We introduced ourselves while playing catch with and imaginary ball. Pilgrims were from Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Holland, Basque, China, Australia, and California, Bakersfield and Delmar. Breakfast was included with our stay, cold cereal, toast and jam, fruit, and cafe con leche.
As we started our epic hike we saw Jesseppi, who has hiked the Camino many times. He was excited for us to take the "better" route with him. we did. but after 30 minutes we checked our Far our app and it said it was farther and tougher. It may have been more beautiful but we don't know.
We met incredible people, when we arrived at the 400 bed albergue in Roncesvalles at dusk, they were full. They kindly arranged a room for us a mile out of Espinal, so we were all alone the first night, no other pilgrims in the albergue.