A Change in Tone

We trudged in the heat up the long steep road to to our final destination in France, Saint Jean Pied de Port.
 Our weariness dissipated as we rounded the corner and saw the portal into the medieval fortress, the massive walls of the citadel looming above us.  We became aware of something strange yet familiar.

A collection of backpack laden tourists, just arriving from the train station, were making their way slowly up the cobblestone path to the Pilgrims office, presumably to arrange accommodations and pick up their Camino passports. Looking jet lagged and a little confused, they were speaking American!

For the past 35 days of walking we met only two other Americans, Thomas and Elle, a retired couple from Arizona. We lost touch with them after the first week.  We grew accustomed to conversations in a miriad of languages. Here there were lots of Americans, most of whom were far younger than us, looking to start their pilgrimages. 

Most American pilgrims start from Saint Jean Pied de Port, walk to Roncesvalles in Spain their first day, then finish in Santiago; we started in Le puy en velay France, and finished in Roncesvalles.  I wondered if they were filled with some of the same questions and doubts I had before my departure: did I pack too much? will I get lost? will I have a place to stay? will I be able to get over these mountains? did I forget anything? blisters? do I have what it takes to do this? how will this journey change me?

They seemed in a state of nervous anticipation not knowing what was to come, while Stephen and I were confidently looking forward to completing our journey and sharing our accumulated wisdom as our last day overlapped with their first.

We made it to Roncesvalles in Spain!