[Gocamino] Getting to the Camino

[Donald Schell]

James,
I meant to post this to the list but sent it as a personal note in 
error.  Apologies that this second posting means you've gotten it 
twice.
donald


> Take Ryanair to Biarritz/Bayonne and if you don't want to start in SJPP
> take a taxi to Roncevalles.
>

James and Jeffs,

Having walked over the summit the two main routes - SJPP to 
Roncesvalles  and Somport Pass,
I would strongly encourage anyone who can to include one of the two 
crossings rather than beginning at Roncesvalles or Canfranc (or Jaca).  
It means beginning with a day's climb up and down.  You carry with you 
the knowledge of how you began and it adds a large measure of patience 
to everything after.  My first time walking, as we approached the climb 
up from Villa Franca to O'Cebreiro, we heard many anxious fellow 
pilgrims saying things like, 'We've heard it's STRAIGHT UP VERTICAL to 
O'Ceb.'  My daughter and I decided the altitude change shown on the map 
meant it couldn't be any more challenging than SJPP to Roncesvalles, 
and it wasn't.  Just a wonderful long uphill walk.  Walking a couple of 
years later with my son (with whom I'd crossed at Somport) had a 
similar kind of confidence to it.

There are plenty of good reasons people start beyond the Pyrenees, but 
if your time allows you the choice, I don't think you'll regret 
including one of the crossings rather than starting the next day on.

love,
donald

Donald Schell
www.saintgregorys.org

author (with Maria Schell) of
My Father, My Daughter, Pilgrims on the Road to Santiago