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We checked in at our albergue and at the pilgrim’s office and received the first stamps in our credentials. We attended the pilgrim Mass at the old church and received the pilgrim blessing. The albergue served a wonderful 3-course meal, and we socialized with  the other 18 pilgrims from Germany, France, Ireland, England, Australia, Canada, etc. After our 36-hour day we called it a night and hoped for a good night’s rest.

Day #0
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Population 1,500 / Elevation 170 meters
Bellari Albergue
Distance walked today 1.8 km.
Weather partly cloudy with occasional showers.

Navigating the airport was a bit stressful due to poor signage and that the Charles DeGaul airport is spread out among multiple terminals, including the one we needed that was a 2km bus ride away. Our plane to Biarritz was a few minutes late so it worked out fine. According to Google maps it is 1.8km from the airport in Biarritz to the train station. What it did not say is that there is no sidewalk along the busy four-lane highway. We walked mainly in tall wet grass and had to navigate a very steep embankment.  I guess it was our first introduction to some of the challenges of the Camino.

• We made it to the airport! TSA took no time at all so we’ve been sitting here for a little while. The TSA agent thought I was 12 and she was really surprised when I told her how old I actually am. We got food at a place called “The Original El Taco” and grandpa thought it was so-so. I thought it was pretty good. We found a person’s id on the floor while we were looking for a background to take a selfie, so we had to go return that. Now we are just waiting to board the plane and grandpa is talking about sleep already. Anyway, that’s all I have to say.

-Isabella

Isabella and I have been planing and preparing for our pilgrimage for many months.  The time has finally come.  We fly to Paris tomorrow, then on to Biarittz where we will take a train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. We are both very excited and a bit nervous.

Today at Mass at St. Matthew in Tyrone we received the traditional Pilgrim’s blessing from Father Kevin.

O God, who brought your servant Abraham out of the land of the Chaldeans, protecting him in his wanderings, who guided the Hebrew people across the desert, we ask that you watch over us, your servants, as we walk in the love of your name to Santiago de Compostela.

Be for us our companion on the walk,
Our guide at the crossroads,
Our breath in our weariness,
Our protection in danger,
Our albergue on the Camino,
Our shade in the heat,
Our light in the darkness,
Our consolation in our discouragements,
And our strength in our intentions.

So that with your guidance we may arrive safe and sound at the end of the Road and enriched with grace and virtue we return safely to our homes filled with joy.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

There are many traditional pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela. Our route from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago will follow what is known as Camino Francés or the French Way. Wikipedia has a very informative article on the Camino de Santiago.

Isabella and I appreciate all the support that we have received from our families, from our friends, and from our parish family at St. Matthew.  Know that you will all be in our thoughts and prayers as we journey over these next few weeks.  Buen Camino!