When we were planing our Camino trip we both agreed that we would not be walking in the dark. After all the sun was up in Spain this time of year from 7 am to 9 pm, roughly. No need for head lamps/flashlight etc. However our last morning found us waking up at 6 am and heading out into the dawn or pre dawn as it was. Lucky for us there was enough light we could see where we were going.
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| Sunrise over Estella |
Our route was also simple. Follow the road and path back to Estella. It would be about a 4km walk to the bus station and we figured should take us an hour or so. It was all downhill after all. We did have a spectacular sunrise to watch as we make our way east.
We made it in good time to the bus station and bought our tickets. We had about a half an hour to wait until the bus arrived. So we went to the cafe next door and enjoyed a cup a coffee and croissants.
Before long the bus arrived and we were off to Pamplona.
The bus was pretty full but we were able to get seats together and about the middle. No back of the bus for us this time. The ride was smooth and uneventful. It was weird to think we would get to Pamplona in an hour today and what it took us three days to walk.
We arrived in Pamplona and went to find the bus for Biarritz. After soon searching we found the ticket window and went to buy our tickets. However it seems the bus we wanted was full already so we would have to take a later bus. I will say here that I wish I had pre booked this section. The 11am bus was 15 euro per person where was the 2pm bus was nearly 30 euro. So what we saved on transportation in the beginning we ended up using here. But we had to get to Biarritz tonight for the hotel and the flight tomorrow. Some times you just do what you have to do.
On the upside to all of this is that we now had time to walk downtown Pamplona and see what we missed the first time. We hadn't seen the bulls or Ernest Heminingway at all. So we took to the streets and wandered around just checking stuff out. Sitting at a nice square enjoying the sunshine and cool breeze. Then we moved on and found the Bull ring and the monument to the running of the bulls. However, couldn't find a single Hemmingway. Well except the street, we did find that.
A surprising thing happened there also. A fellow pilgrim asked for our assistance. We did our best to help. She was asking where the Alburge was and since we didn't stay there at first we just said we didn't know. Then we looked at our map and tried to give her directions to find it. There definitely was a language barrier. She was of Asian decent and knew a little Spanish and little less English. Then she smiled and went on her way. We comment to each other we hope she found the place. Then as we were looking for Hemmingway we came upon the Alburge and congratulated ourselves that we gave decent instructions. Then out of the blue the lady comes up to us to tell us how she found the place and thanked us. She was now off to one of the churches. We did out best again with the map and sent her to the main old town. There are so many churches in Spain, and they are all magnificent.
We parted ways and hoped she found her way. I guess walking around a big city with the backpack and shell on it is a give away saying we are pilgrims. It is nice that as pilgrims we all step up to help one another. It warmed my heart.
We wandered around for Lunch and found ourselves back at Burger King. It seemed fitting to go back here. This time I tried a burger. At least by now I was able to eat. Then we headed back to get our bus.
Waiting in the bus station, enjoying a beer, we were trying to figure out where we would meet our bus. We began to worry a bit. All the other bus routes were posted on the screen and told what bus bay to go to. Nothing was showing for Biarritz. We went to the ticket counter and it was closed until 4 pm. Weird to me that the ticket counter would be closed but it was. So after some looking around and trying to figure it out we asked a bus driver that was taking a bus to St. Jean where our bus was and she said it was the bus that was boarding. We got our stuff and got onto the bus. Relieved to have finally found the bus.
The bus was full. Mostly with Pilgrims making their way to St. Jean to start their trek. I can't say they looked fresh and ready to go because honestly they had that look of jet lag to them. They were looking for a shower and a bed you could tell.
What caught my surprise about both bus rides was how taking the bus back the way you came, looking for the path as you go, reaffirmed just how far we had walked. To look at the path in the distance and see how it went up the mountains and then down only to go up another hill gave me a new appreciation for what we did. Sometimes when you are on the hills you are only thinking of making it over them. But then to step back and look at them put it in perspective and makes you feel small. And maybe that is one of the lessons of the Camino. To help us understand that our "problems" might feel like mountains but they can be over come. I am happy we took the time to take the bus back.
We arrived in St Jean and everyone got off the bus. Literally everyone but us got off the bus. The driver took a short break, we changed seats and then we were off to Biarritz. Then it was a short walk from the Airport to the Hotel. The walk might have been short but it was on the side of a busy road and I didn't like that too much. But we made it safe.
After we checked in and showered we watched some tv and relaxed. We arrived too late to go exploring the beaches and plus we were pretty tired. It was all catching up to us. There was a restaurant next door and we went there for dinner. We settled on omelettes and salad with water.
It was a pretty good meal. It was a quiet meal, no other pilgrims around. Made me miss our pilgrim buddies already.
We picked up some wine and spent the remainder of the evening just relaxing and watching some tv and talking about the trip and planning the next one. Tomorrow we will be flying home back to our lives and our commitments. So it was nice to have the night to just relax and enjoy each others company.
The last night is always bittersweet. You are happy for the experience and also sad to see it end. Then there is the physical part where you are tired and happy its over, but then are you really? For now we will take some time to recuperate and reflect on the lessons learned.
Until next time......and there will be a next time! Hopefully sooner....than later.
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| Pamplona |
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