Thursday, September 28, 2023

Part 4 / Day 17 : Pamplona -- Biarritz -- return to Paris

I woke up early and made it to the bus station, stopping across the street for coffee and pastry. The Spanish gentleman who I attempted to talk with yesterday shook my hand this morning and wished me well. Alejandro? Alberto? He was sniffling terribly and pointed to his nose--I think he may have Covid, so I washed my hands afterward and used sanitizer later at the restaurant across from the bus terminal, hoping for the best. I ran into two French women at the station I had met somewhere along the way who recognized me (Christine and Sophie from San Juan de le Peña) and who had made it to Puenta La Reina. They had taken a bus to San Sebastián  and were now taking a later bus somewhere else. I caught a wifi signal long enough to learn my flight was cancelled and has been rescheduled. It was going to be a long day. I only had a peek at San Sebastián, the town itself, but it looked absolutely lovely. The sun was shinning brilliantly and reflected on the water... everything sparkled.

The airport at Biarritz is small, located between the towns of Bayonne and Biarritz  I had a long layover and could have taken the bus to either town for a couple of hours but there was no luggage storage and I just didn't feel up to it. There was a garden there, which I explored,  which on a cooler day would have been most welcome, but there was no shade on this too warm and sunny day.  Fortunately there was an airport restaurant, a small shop and wifi...

Cuidadela near the main bus terminal in Pamplona 

Breakfast across the street from the underground bus terminal


Alsa bus to San Sebastián 


Cheese tortilla for early lunch

Sunny San Sebastián 



Bus to Biarritz 


Biarritz Airport 


Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Sangüesa--Pamplona

Sangüesa was, in many ways, a lovely place. The albergue was nothing special, and it wasn't as congenial as some places. The crowd there was younger and louder. And I was now winding down, now that I wasn't continuing on... The weather was sunny and pleasant, with places to eat and see... 

Hiroko and I took the 8 am bus to Pamplona, and we saw Laurent [from Ruesta] get on our bus at Monreal. He has been bussing it for the last two days and may have to stop because of a sprained ankle. He had met Sylvette and Pascale, along with two French Canadians, who I didn't meet. Laurent and the French women wanted to visit a little church in Tiermas? on a variant route on the other side of the Yesa reservoir. Laurent had started in Le Puy-en-Velay and had woven his way down through the Gers to Lourdes, and was creating his own "camino." I left Hiroko after coffee near the bus station as she will continue on along the Camino Frances. I located my albergue [next to the Cathedral] and had a look at the Cathedral as the albergue was not yet open. A rather bittersweet moment for me... I will be leaving for San Sebastián/Biarritz tomorrow and flying back to Paris.


Sangüesa 


The albergue des peregrinos in Sangüesa 



Exploring Sangüesa 


Lunch at the restaurant Cuidad de Sangüesa 









The bus stop in Sangüesa 


The bus station in Pamplona








Inside the Cathedral 


The Cathedral in Pamplona [above]




Plaza del Castillo


Booksellers in the plaza






Rincon del Caballo Blanco 






City walls








 Student quarter 



I try the thick hot chocolate and churros

Part 4 / Day 17 : Pamplona -- Biarritz -- return to Paris

I woke up early and made it to the bus station, stopping across the street for coffee and pastry. The Spanish gentleman who I attempted to t...