Camino Frances 2025 Traveling to Saint Jean Pied de Port
Planes, Trains, and a Long Awaited Introduction
I am well behind in posting my travels on the Camino Frances. Along with blogging I have started posting videos @farsidehiker on YouTube. Much respect to Peg Leg! I don’t know how she does it so frequently!
I arrived in Paris, uneventfully and caught a train down to Bordeaux where it was my intention to spend two days looking at that beautiful city and beating jet lag. One of the main purposes of that stop was to meet a young Baker named Margeaux with made hope to do an internship in 2023 when I was finishing up my professional baking and pastry program at this coffee school of culinary arts. My visit with her was well worth it. Her bread is absolutely incredible and her devotion to her trade with the wine and the bread is very commendable. It’s easy to find your way around Bordeaux as the public transportation provides cheap access to the city.
Off to Saint Jean Pied de Port, France
When it came time to depart my train was 35 minutes late and as an added bonus the station was evacuated and the military present.
My train change in Bayonne allowed me one minute to switch trains. The conductor pointed to a set of stairs and was hollering across the tracks over that I was on my way.
I met a gentleman from Ireland named Derek on train. I changed seats after a few minutes to a set close to him and he came over and started talking to the me in English. He recognized my Appalachian Trail tag and had been on the Appalachian Trail at the same time I was last year. Derek and his friend Carly, who is a The Trek blogger followed my journey on The Trek. Derek‘s train had been canceled the day before, so it was pure chance and happenstance that we met. Derek has walked the Camino previously. This will be his first pilgrimage as a believer. A wonderful coincidence and a blessing to be on the path with him.
Upon arrival in St. John Pierre deport, we made our way to the pilgrims office to register, get our passports and provide a donation for a seashell to put on our packs. The staff was so helpful and kind and provided all the information we would need for parts for journey. I put my gear in my motel room nd headed to the post office to forward my excess to Casa Ivar in Santiago de Compostela where it will be awaiting my arrival in a month.
Off to the grocery store followed by a walk around the Citadel grounds and then to church to contemplate this pilgrimage. Each day will let me know what I’m supposed to learn.
Final Thoughts
The boat is safer anchored at the port; but that’s not the aim of boats.”
– Paulo Coelho
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Comments 2
Boomerang good to see you back out there. I followed a few of Derek’s videos on the AT. He would say, “body good, mind good, heart good.”
Glad to see you are ” on the road again” to quote Wllie Nelson! As always, I am enjoying your photos and commentary. Safe travels.