Getting to St. Jean
We've been without wifi since we've left London. If it weren't for my fancy outdoors watch Cameron got me for Christmas that tells me it's Thursday I wouldn't even know what day it is.
Some things to catch you up on:
1- I met Granny in London. And uncle Colin, aunt Maxine, cousins Chris, Jenna, Julia, Simon, and second cousins Harry, Abby and Eva - the whole royal family really. The best part- they served me double cream. Yes, it's as good as it sounds and yes, it can go on top of everything. (Colin and Maxine- if you're reading this, in all seriousness thank you for your kindness, home cooked meals and laughs- best way to start our adventure)
2- Supprime. New word for me - it's French. I've seen it in some forms in the states- like supreme pizza or in phrases like 'supreme accommodations' or 'oh wow, that was a supremely good time!' At any rate, when the word 'supprime' flashes on the reader board next to our train that is taking us from Biarrtiz to St Jean Pied de Port (starting off point for the Camino) I have a mixture of curiosity and elation to learn what this special word means for our trip. After eavesdropping on a few conversations between what appear to be fellow pilgrims (camino walkers) I gather that those guys aren't taking the train, they're taking a bus- silly first timers. I would say a solid 20 minutes go by where we are guessing what supprime means for us- first class, underground train, a surprise! - when a Italian pilgrim-looking man approaches us to drop the bomb...supprime in fact means cancelled. The French are such tricksters. Don't worry, we got on a bus just like all the other pilgrim pros and decided to always trust an Italian.
3- Jet lag. I'm writing this on my phone note pad, sleeping bag over head and earplugs in place. It's 2am and this is the 4th early morning wake up in a row for me. I thought I had set myself up for tonight though- woke up at 8am, walked all around the town of St Jean Pied de Port while we waited to get into our alburgue (communal pilgrim lodging), even bought ear plugs. Had a late-ish dinner and roamed the dark and empty streets until after 9pm. In a town of 17,000 you can imagine how quiet it can be. The majority of the people out at this hour are pilgrims arriving on trains and buses. Once inside our alburgue, Cameron journaled and I read good ol' rick steves in our twin bunk beds. At around 10pm, I made my way to the top bunk, zipped myself into my sleeping bag, blew up my pillow, stuck in my ear plugs and somehow managed to doze off. And then like clock work- 2am. I wonder if any of the other 15 people in here are awake? The snoring tells me not so much.
I swear I'm having a good time.
