Camino Day 1: SJPP to Orisson

Day 1 (May 13, 2022): It’s 6:15am here my friends and we are up, wiping the sleep from our eyes and headed up that mountain today!! Here we go into the Pyrenees.

We enjoyed a quick breakfast at our alburgue, packed our backpacks, and at 8:00am said our goodbyes and made our way down the cobblestoned streets of Saint Jean, through the iconic gate and took our first photo with the Camino street arrow which will guide our way.

I feel like I am walking into so much unknown, so I am ready to just pull off the blindfold and take the leap!

I am ready to enter this extreme uncomfortableness while at the same time take in every site, smell and sound around me. Jumping into the “uncomfortable zone”.

The morning was misty, all the way up the mountain, and the fog was really thick in some places, so much so we couldn’t really see any scenery or much of the road ahead. We focused on taking smaller steps, breaks when we needed them and drinking lots of water. Thankfully there was a water spigot along the way for a refill.

I did have a moment while I was making a video for my sister, Laura, who is still fighting in the Cardiac ICU. I wanted to share with her where I was in this journey, as she had asked for updates. And while I was videoing, it all just sort of hit me, I cried tears for her, conflicting tears for me, but had to keep trekking. She wanted me here, we had that discussion.

We walked up, and up, and up…and then up, up, and up some more, never hitting much flat surface at all the whole time.

6 miles and 4 hours later we made it to Orisson. We have never been so happy to see the end of the day in sight. Relief.

We sat down (heaven), I devoured a bocadillo (sandwich) that our alburgue hosts made for us before we left, and ordered a coffee. Ahhhh!!

Later we checked in, got into our shared room which consisted of 4 bunk beds and one single bed. There was another room in this building that matched it. Coed. There are two shared showers and two bathrooms for all 18 people. We each were given a single coin for the shower which allowed us a 5-minute shower, spraying in 1 minute intervals. This is all so bizarre to me and I’m really just trying my best to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable.

I’m not even sure how to explain what this day felt like. Things I have only ever seen in photos were now staring me in the face. I’m here! Amazing!

Orisson Refuge is a beautiful place and the views are amazing, once the fog cleared. Our new little Camino family (whom we met last night, and a few we picked up along the way) sat out on the patio and enjoyed some beer, wine and chips. The conversation flowed so easily and it was nice to just enjoy the company of strangers. Ann from Quebec Canada, Jim and his wife from New Jersey, Paul from the UK, Jamie and Andre from Australia, etc…I can’t remember everyone’s name.

At 6:30pm we had a large communal dinner of tomato soup, chicken, and a potato goulash, followed by a slice of traditional basque cake.

Note: The cost to stay here is 40€ which includes accommodations, dinner and breakfast, oh and a view!

There is a quote that I love so much that says, “Remember that the minute you take your first step into the life of your dreams, the first to greet you will be fear. Nod. Walk on.” I will do that!

I definitely felt like today was a day of conquering some fears, and Syd and I discussed how this first part of the Camino is to show you what you’re made of. Tomorrow will be another tough and longer day, but we will take it on, minute by minute, hour by hour.

It’s bed time (9:40pm) and I’m ready to close my eyes and process this day! Nighty night!

#camino2022 #caminodesantiago #camino