Arrived in Spain

 Andre took me to the airport on Thursday, well, I actually drove there. We had to do a second pass through since there was no Iberia Airlines sign to give me a clue about where they were Even though I knew Iberia was in O'Hare's Terminal 3, we passed it before I realized we missed it. 

Once I got inside I was misdirected by airport to the wrong line, not once, not twice, but three times. Maybe that's why they tell you to be there three hours early.  

I made it to my gate with plenty of time to spare. I had packed myself a lunch because I knew I would be hungry, having missed breakfast and lunch.  Im not fond of overpriced airport food. It all worked out.

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Yesterday I arrived in Spain on a direct overnight flight.  I really don't sleep on planes so I was sleep deprived while trying to navigate a new country in a language that I can barely stumble along with. Let's just say it made for an interesting day.

I changed some dollars for Euros, which at least meant that I could buy food in small stores and such. 

From the Madrid airport I took two trains to Pamplona. I had no idea where to go once I got out of the train station,  so I followed a likely looking guy with a backpack.  One guy became two and those two were joined by a couple, so there were four. I caught up to them when they stopped to chat. I introduced myself. It turned out none of us knew each other. The couple peeled off to go to their albergue (Camino speak for hostel). Markus (from Germany), Michael (from Nebraska) and I all headed the same direction.  They knew where they were going.  I didn't.  Michael had reservations at a hotel,  Markus and I did not. Markus read about an albergue that he wanted to try. Long story short,  they were full. Markus called a nearby hotel and we got the last room. Yes, I shared a room (but not a bed) with a man I had just met. It was fine.  He's a real nice guy.

Later, Michael joined us for a glass of wine at the hotel and then we all went out for dinner. 

Today, my plan was to take a bus to Saint Jean Pied de Port just over the French border. Bus tickets were sold out. That wasn't part of my plan. 

I'm spending a second night in Pomplona, this time at Jesus y Maria Albergue. My bed is number 70. There are probably aabout 150 beds. Fortunately,  I have a bottom bunk. 

Fortunately,  I have earplugs. 

I'll write more tomorrow.  I managed to reserve a seat on the bus for noon tomorrow. 

Planning for the Camino

I've been wanting to hike the Camino de Santiago for quite some time now. For several years I didn't feel comfortable being out of the country for any length of time since my parents were in declining health. Mom and Dad have since gone to be with God (love and miss you both!), so I have a bit more freedom for travel. However, I'm not as young as I used to be, so if I want to hike the Camino, now is the time to do it. 

I'm leaving May 9th to fly to Madrid. I land on the 10th and hope to start hiking on the 11th or 12th from St. Jean Pied de Port, the traditional start of the Camino de de Santiago Frances.