Still Day 8: Santa Celia has changed

It is still clean and beautiful but the sweet hospitalera Maite 

is no longer here to greet us.

The kitchen is no longer open to pilgrims.

 Instead you are offered cena at 10 euros 

on top of the 10 euros you pay to sleep.

The bar is not open 

and we were lucky to have bread, tuna, and olives on hand!

Outside my window are a herd of wooly sheep.
On the side if each is painted in large letters, 'GAGA'
 -- are these Lady Gaga's sheep ????
 Are these the sheep you count to sleep???

 Stay tuned. Annie.

Day 8: San Juan de Pena

Today was a GREAT day! I finally made it to the monastery and we were so happy we bought the tickets on the bus from Jaca! It included the entrance fee to the new and old monasteries. Both were spectacular and this is a highly recommended way to see this site.

Walking on the glass floor above the excavation really made it easy to imagine what life was like in this monastery.  Be sure to wear your jacket inside.. it's quite cold!

Nothing could have prepared me for the beauty of the old Monastery. 

You just have to see it for yourself.

We walked down the suggested 'easy' trail to Santa Cruz de Seros and from there took the main road down to the highway where we picked up the Camino.

I do NOT recommend the trail which is not easy at all. 

Rather it is covered with very dangerously loose rocks. 

This is a perfect place to turn an ankle so take the road instead or be very careful. 

The trail took about 1.5 hours and 3 hours to get to Santa Celia. 

About half way, you enter a small village. 

There is a pretty church you can explore if it is open.

 From there, you walk the road.

Even though we walked the road there was little traffic. 

Interesting rock formation

There were wheat fields full of poppies

No traffic to speak of and easy walking

Sta. Celia at last!

A taxi from Santa Celia could cost up to 30 euros

 and the entrance fee is 11 euros 

so the bus from Jaca at 14 euros was a great value !

Day 7: To Jaca we go

The overnight dusting of snow combined with the freezing wind 

 convinced us to catch the 9:37 train to Jaca for 2,55 euro each. 

I feel like the Michilen Man layering every shirt I brought.

The nice T.I. Lady led us to Casa Mamre 

on Billado & Arco streets near the Cathedral Plaza. 

We chose the dorms at 14 euros each including breakfast. 

What a sweet place!

The Priest served a very nice community dinner!

We were joined by several French pilgrims.

I discovered there is a 9 am bus to San Juan Pena Monastery for 14 euros. 

 If it is still cold in the morning we will take that bus and then walk to Santa Celia from the monastery.

This weather is freaky and has people talking in the streets. 

The wind is so cold it cuts to the bone and reminds me of February back home in Oregon.

Surely by end of May this will have passed.