St. Jean Pied de Port
It is the village to start the French Way to Compostela. The St. James door is always opened, and receiving pelerins from all around the world. There are many pelerins as intentions to finish the way.
The past 25 days have gave me a flavor of this. Adventure, spiritual needs, depression, solitude, identity, saving the Steeples of a church, the list is infinite, but the souls can be counted. Growing in the journey is a risk for many of the walkers marching east to Compostela. And, yes, life is a risk that we need to learn to be trained. For me the best training is your intention to adjust and change. I have not fear a second on this journey. I just move forward. I am in charge of my life. God as companion, direct me always toward good. I can be lost for 1 km, but accepting the lesson, and coming back to the road marks has thought me that there are not mistakes in life. We just learn, and get prepared for future personal insights.
After Ieft Astabat, I put my night lights on. It was very dark. But there was so much action in nature. The reflector of the lights will bring a lot of insects in front of me, and with insects, a team of bats playing pelota Basque in front of me. Cats will sit at the roof of the houses looking for anything that move. There eyes will shine from the distance, because of my lights. Owls will flight from tree to trees, as they were swimming in the air. The cows started to wake up.
I arrived to Latceveau, the markers were no clear. I did a right turned that took me 1km away. Well, I just turned back. The sun rose, and the markers took me to a private house. As soon as I passed the house, a farmer was moving his sheep to a different field. He said to me: avance, avance. I walked faster, and all the sheep passed to the other field. It was like church on Sunday, all the flock in. I kept walking on the path. Around 200 meters, a strong smell took the air. There was a death sheep. It has strangulated itself in the fence. I was touched by the situation. Many thoughts about death came into my mind. I just kept walking, as life continues.
The paths started to embrace my presence. I just walked as if there were waiting for me without restrictions. Just walk!
When I reached the Croix de Galtzetaburua, I paused to look at the ancient cross that has watched so many people passing by, but has never judged anyone. I interesting will be for us to do the same. And here were are walking on earth, but we are not free, until we embrace our cross.
After Gamarthe, I started to see signs for sheep Fomage. I did not stopped to buy, but look very popular in the region.
In the middle of a hill, there was a man preparing coffee and other items for the walkers. He has a big sign saying: stop for a coffee. Can you imagine doing that in front of your house, and welcoming strangers into your house? That is true charity!
There was a problem with the street signs today. The miles account was going up instead of going down. I wanted to reach St. Jean Pied de Port by 10am for mass. It looked like I will not make it.
I reached St. Jean Le Vieux by 10. The Catholic Church was opened. I went in, a woman speaking Basque greeted me with a joyful smile. I told her that I only spoke English and Spanish. She called her friend, and senior lady. She spoke perfect Spanish. She was so sweet. I asked her the mass time. She told me 10:30am. Wala! I had time for juice and a chocolatinne before mass. There was a grocery store, and a bakery next to the church. I returned to church by 10:15. The senior lady asked me if I would like to concelebrate. She sent me to the priest. I asked her: Does he speak Spanish? She said: He speaks everything!
I introduced myself, and he invited me to the sacristy to get dressed. The priest was so happy. He thought me how to read Basque in 1 minute. He was a good teacher, I sang during all the mass.
We processed from the sacristy to kiss the altar. As we walk out, the whole congregation starters singing. Where in the world has you seen this? I mean, every person was singing on Basque, male and female, old and young. I was in tears. You can feel the love of this people for their faith. The whole mass was like this. It was not France, it was a new country, Pays Basque!
All the seats were full. The three level balconies, where all the men sat were filled. And let me tell you, these men were great singers. There was a joy here that I have not seen in a while. I was refreshed! I walk to St. Jean Pied de Port in the clouds!
I crossed St. James’ door. It was the end of LePuy Way, and the beginning of the French Way. I had lunch in the village with Clement. A great young man from Geneva. After lunch we sat at the side walk, I turned my Pandora on Latin Music to celebrate the achievement. I got the stamp at the welcoming center, and returned to the sidewalk. Many people shaked as they listen to my music.
I did not stay at the village. I kept walking, visited the church, as I have been doing every time, I see a church. I took many pictures, and kept walking to the next village of Honto.
I just begun the ascension of the Pyrenees. It was a great gite with an amazing view. Tomorrow I will walk 200 meters up in 75 meters. Please do not calculate the adjacent, I just gave you the hypotenuse and the opposite! Ha ha!!!