Day 1: Madrid - St. Jean Pied de Port

Today marked an early start, especially by Spain standards, with a 5:30 am alarm. I got up, got ready and was out the door by 6. It was a day of travel on foot, by train, by plane and by car! And everything went smoothly! 

Soy milk café con leche, gluten free vegan bocadillo that I made the night before and a few other travel essentials. ;)

The French Basque Country is gorgeous and I had plenty of time to wander around town, check out the Monday market and get my pilgrim passport. St. Jean has a great energy to it and there is a buzz of nervous excitement as pilgrims prepare to embark on the Camino. I've already met new friends from Ireland, Poland, New Zealand, Australia, England and the USA. 

Picture above: 

Registering at the pilgrim office. The pilgrim passport cost €2 and is your "proof" as you move along the Camino. It also ends up being one of your best souvenirs. 

This photo shows the view from my accommodation, Gite Makila. 

I lit a candle inside the church today. 

I bought some snacks for tomorrow, anti-bedbug spray and walking poles. I wanted to try the poles this time - the downhill hurts my knees sometimes. 

The sun sets late; it's 8:30 pm as I finish this post and though the sun has slipped behind the Pyrenees (where I will follow, tomorrow!), it is still light out and the most pleasant temperature. 

Kilometers walked: 12.26 (not a Camino day, but not bad for just roaming around town).