Saint Jean Pied de PortWe had a relatively quiet day today. We went to the Pilgrim’s office, checked in, and got our Pilgrim’s Credential stamped. We also shared with the office staff that we have had issues with our AntiCovid QR code. She stated that we needed a PCR test. A little surprised as that was counter to what we heard before, but desperate to get the issue resolved, we went to get the test. She gave us some vague directions and off we went. If my sinus cavity is the world, the swab made it to the arctic circle. Holy cow that was uncomfortable, and deeper than yesterday’s test. We won’t get the results for at least 24 hours. Update: We got the results and the QR code (for seven days).
Wanting to let the Pilgrim’s office know the specific location so they can let other folks know, we went back. The same person was not in the office, but we chatted with someone else. She knew exactly where the office was and told us we did not need a PCR test because we are vaccinated. Merde. And now a little background on the Camino: As you probably know, St. James was one of Jesus’s disciples. He was beheaded, and his remains are buried at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The Camino is the ancient trail that pilgrims have traveled for centuries to arrive at the Cathedral to visit St. James’ tomb. In another post I’ll talk about our own personal reasons for hiking the Camino, but that is the historical reason the Camino exists. Our packs are mostly ready. We both have scallop shells hanging from our packs. This is a symbol of direction along the Camino. They are on walls, signposts, and on churches. Pilgrims commonly wear the symbol to build camaraderie along the trail. It’s a symbol of being on the right track. We leave tomorrow at 6 am.
8 Comments
Karen
8/25/2021 11:31:37 am
This is amazing. How heavy are your packs?
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Greg
8/25/2021 08:16:55 pm
They’re actually fairly light. Probably about 13 lbs. We each also have a suitcase which is moved to the next location. At 60 I was not interested in carrying 35 to 40 lbs.
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Joan Barrett
8/25/2021 05:49:56 pm
Hi Jim and Greg,what a privilege to go along with you on this journey.
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Greg
8/25/2021 08:19:40 pm
Thank you. I think it’s such a unique journey, I wanted to share it with those interested and in a way that doesn’t pop up in Facebook every day.
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Karen
8/26/2021 09:04:52 am
This os such a fantastic blog! Thanks for sharing with us, Greg amd Jim!
Bernard
8/26/2021 09:41:05 am
I’m loving reading about this trek, and the little video capturing the trail is a very cool bonus! Curious, when we say there were a “lot” of pilgrims on the trail, what is a lot? Did you pass 50 people along the way? 100 people? I kinda thought it would be a solitary hike (Greg, Jim and birds) but I had absolutely no clue.
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Greg
8/27/2021 10:48:52 am
There are currently about 1,400 pilgrims a day showing up at the Santiago de Compostela (the end of the line), but that is the end for a few pilgrim trails. We might see 40 -50 hikers a day at various times.
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Cat Walsh
8/26/2021 12:26:22 pm
Thank you for sharing your journey! From your arrival in Paris to the start of your pilgrimage,I feel like I am there with you. After watching the movie, I wanted to do this so badly but my body just laughed. With you as my travel guide, I am experiencing the trip with you.
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AuthorsGreg and James live in Pleasanton in Northern California and are on a pilgrimage on the Camino De Santiago in Spain. Their adventures are captured in this blog. Archives
October 2021
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