Saint Jean Pied-de-Port - the beginning

We've just arrived and had our Pilgrim passports stamped in the Pilgrim office where we found out that there are no beds available in Orisson about halfway across the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles.  We were hoping not to have to go the whole way over the mountains in one day, but now we will have to.  The spirit is willing -- we will see if the flesh will allow.  We had met a young women in the bus station who told us about the refugio where she had reservations here in St. Jean.  Luckily, Eric in Rufugio L'Etoille had plenty of beds.

St. Jean is a totally picturesque little French town where the Camino is called La Chemin de St. Jacques.  It's an adjustment to hear French instead of Spanish.

Eric, who is a real character ( he is from Paris, but when he walked the Camino, it changed his life and so he bought this 1500 era house and opened this hostel), tells us if we walk slowly and steadily, we will make it very well.  Nos vemos!