St. Jean Pied de Port

Hello Folks: Yesterday afternoon I reached St. Jean Pied de Port, the last stage of the routes travelling through France. Fter not seeing many pilgrims at all for the past several weeks, suddenly it was like arriving at the Grand Central Station for pilgrims. Pilgrims form all the various routes were converging into the town either ending their French journey to begin theri Spanish journey, others others just beginning to follow the Camino Frances. There were a few like myself who would not be continuing on to Compostella, but planning to continue at a future date. It has been a most amazing journey of spiritual and physical challenge. I will rest and visit the town today before heading out this afternoon to begin my journey back to the states. St. Jean Pied de Port is an incredible city on a hill souronded by an ancient wall and offers incredible views of the Basque region. I have met people from various regions of the world, and last night had the fun time of manuevering between three langauges as I ate with a Canadian couple and a gentleman from Spain. He spoke Spanish and French, and thye sppoke only English! It was quite interesting as my brain tried to adjust from French to Spanish and translate into English! I have truly enjoyed this journey and wish that I could continue on to Compostella at this time, however the year's wait will afford me the time to prepare for a very different cultural experience as well as make adjustments in my gear. I've learned a lot about long distance hiking that will serve me well next year, and I have learned a lot about myself that I hope will serve me well for a lifetime. Well the Pilgrim accueil is gracious enough to provide internet access for us, but ask tht we not spend more than 15 minutes, so I must say "a bientot," unitl I see you in the states. Many thanks for all the prayers and words of encouragement. Blessings and Peace, Marcelle

Coming to a close

Hi Folks: Next Thursday I will reach St. Jean Pied de Port, the last stage of the Vezelay route. Because it will be the middle of September, thqat does not give me enough time to continue onthrough Spain. What I will do insteqd is return to the USA, and plan to return next year to walk the Camino Frances through Spain. This has been an exciting yet very challenge in journey and a break before continuing on through Spain will give me time to reflect on this past journey and do some debriefing. I have met some folks along the way who have travelled from their home conutires (Holland and Belgium) and are continuing on to Copostella. There are slightly older and like most folks on the road to compostella qre retired or between jobs and able to take the necessary " months. In fact the majority of the people who make the pilgrimage to Compostella are in their 60's & 70's. I am currently in Mont de Marsan and have 6 more stages to complete. Physically I have held up rather well, but over the past week, I have developed a couple of blisters (one on each foot) which make walking a bit uncomfortable. I count myself as quite fortunate since most people develop thier blisters within the first week. Today is a rest day and I am using it to nurse my feet, do internet communication and try to make arrangements for my return to the States. I am so thankful thq God haq allowed me to hqve this experience: it hqs been once of both physical and spiritual challenge. There have also been the emotional challenges of spending long days alone either walking through poruing rain, or blistering heat. One of things that I have missed the most is music. I learned some songs at Taize that served as pryqers along the way, and their were some words to songs that I placed o index cards to sing and pray along the way. However, ther were some days that the I just wanted to hear or sing somthing else, especially since the Taize songs are quite short and the words that I could remember from my others were limited. When I just needed something else for a change of pace and help me get through those last few kilometers, there was Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer!" This pilrimqge has been a blessing and I look forward to shqring it with you. Blessigns, Marcelle