Walking to Roncesvalles Day 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking to Orisson Day1

 

 

What a wonderful group of pilgrims again this year!

 

Derek and Sally got their first Credential stamp in Pamplona at the pilgrim shop and we picked up their shells. 

 

 

Debbie surprised everyone with a charm caribiner gift that was so perfect!  

 

The ride to SJPP was really great. Our taxi driver from Caminofacil stopped at Roncesvalles for coffee, and so everyone got to see where they would be staying in a couple of days. Derek was so happy he did a jig. 

 

 

People went to the Pilgrim Office to get registered. 

 

   

Last night we cooked together at Gite Compostelle. We had pasta with vegetable sauce, a lovely spring salad, cheese, bread and wine and the price was about €3 each!  We had plenty to share with other pilgrims, which was perfect!  

This morning they were ready for rain  --  so it didn't!  

 

 

The walk was perfect. 

 

 

 

And we all made it!

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow, Roncesvalles. 

 

 

 

   

The Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Bolivian Fiesta

I took a walk in the park this afternoon and saw something going on at the church up the street.  So I went to Mass and afterwards, a processional led to dancing and partying outside.  I asked what was going on and was told it was a Bolivian fiesta! You gotta love Pamplona on a weekend!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fleeing Nun!

Somebody told me Mercury is doing strange things in the heavens and I believe it is true because this has been the weirdest two weeks and today tops it all.  To start with, the lodging I booked for the day we walk through Pamplona was not as they advertised, so I had to do a quick change of reservations. And since it's so close to the date of stay, I had to pay double. Ouch.  I had requested fragrance free rooms back in November and December. When I arrived to check the lodging out, I almost choked on the strong air freshener. My eyes and throat were burning. It was one of those things on the wall that shoots out fragrance every few minutes. Holy cow!  It was horrible! I was one hour too late to cancel three rooms, so I had to eat that charge. But there was no way I could put pilgrims in those rooms! I did manage to air out the rooms of the two pilgrims coming in early because it was too late to cancel those also. One lady was supposed to arrive today. Another tomorrow.  I paid for those two rooms and walked to Old Town where I had booked a bed for myself in a pilgrim Albergue.  Imagine my surprise when I arrived and was told, 'Sorry. We booked a large group and now we do not have a bed for you!"  Even though I had a reservation!   So I got online and found one of the last hotel rooms in Pamplona got more than twice my budgeted amount. But no choice here unless I wanted to sleep under a tree.  Ten minutes later, an email from my peregrina saying she could not make it here until tomorrow!!!  I could have used that room! Goodness. What a crazy day! And so I did what any red-blooded Anerican girl would do under stress  . . . I found some comfort food!

 

I am now sitting in my room, listening to the firecrackers boom!

It is Saturday night and that means fiesta in Pamplona!

There is a wedding at most of the churches and people are singing in the streets in Old Town. 

The skies are cloudy but no rain - just a few sprinkles. 

Perfect for walking. I hope this weather holds. 

 

I think I will go take a walk in the park. 

Here are some views from my window at Hotel Eslava. 

 

 

 

 

Something sort of funny just happened. 

I was taking photos of the park and trying to get a photo of the bride. 

See her in the white dress in the photo below?

Then suddenly, a nun stood up and tossed her habit over her head to cover her face

as she ran for cover. 

I didn't even know she was there until she stood up and ran! 

I guess she thought I was photographing her. 

 

I hope Mercury settles down soon!

 

Annie

 

Pamplona in Springtime

I walked to the Cathedral today. €3 for pilgrims.  If you go, you must take care to see everything listed on the map they give you.  Some things, like the house of the bellman, you must ask them to unlock.  Other doorways are a bit hidden, so explore any door that is open.  I began my walk through the park, which is bursting with color!  

 

 

 

 

Then through Old Town for a little shopping. 

 

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Then to the Cathedral. 

 

 

The imagery is quite striking in the Cathedral and is meant to evoke emotion. 

 

 

You can see Jesus has been whipped. 

 

Some statues were very simple. 

 

Others were quite ornate. 

I love the solar imagery. 

 

 

Crucifixions were life-sized for dramatic appeal. 

 

 

Emotions were apparent. 

 

Even wooden statues wept. 

 

The cloister was lovely. 

 

I climbed 62 steps to the bellringer's house. 

 

 

His floor was worn smooth and beautiful. 

 

A touch-screen computer allowed me to hear all the different bells. 

 

And Santa Barbara, who was also confined in a tower, blessed me as I walked by. 

 

I got a closer look at one of the stained glass windows. 

 

 

 My visit concluded, I stopped in for a Caesar salad before heading back to my room.