Well, I never been to Spain, but I kinda like the music

Hi winers

There is simply too much to say here, so I'm stymied.  All the superlatives apply all the time...I'm gobsmacked, amazed, and etc etc.  word fail...

I've never been in Europe, never in Spain, never on a monster hike...it's all surreal.  I hate that word but that's what it is.   A different world than i'm used to.

Such as:  Basque countryside.  Look it up.  Amazing.

Places you stay, aka Aulberges.  Another world.

People you meet.  I can't remember them all.  Just in the last couple of hours, had some beers with a bloke from Denmark, a family guy who's kinda in the same boat as me.  Another guy from Sherbrooke Que, a bunkmate on his second camino.  A policy writer for the UK, working on brexit issues at the table beside me.  An Aussie across the table.  I met him 2 nites ago in a pizza joint ( best pizza ever) but didn't talk long.  He was in the company of an American and a Belgian...the best listener of the three, I thought.  A couple of days later, here he is.  I've already met more people than I did in the last year or two.  Maybe 3.

The food?  I don't really care.  Had stewed bull in Pamplona, on the street where they run the bulls.  Survived.  No breakfast today, but had something from somewhere which was good.  Tonite Pilgrims Meal, Always beer as a dietary constant.  The wine here does not agree with me, so niet.  Not good.

Logistics?   I'd tell you, but you wouldn't believe me.  Think serendipity, or providence, or shithouse luck, or whatever you want.  I feel like I'm  surfing a wave.

The camino is crowded and crazy.  And a heck of a lot more expensive than it was a couple of years ago, by all accounts.  

One other thing: when i got here today, there was a massive power outage all over Europe, from what I hear.  Nothing worked; no water, no internet, etc.  Thought I was stuck in Spain forever, but it's back on now.  Maybe I'll come home now.

Other thing #2:  Huge thanks to Gail and Judith for consulting, arranging, etc. etc.  I would seriously have been sleeping in a field with cows without them.  God bless the pair of them.

I will now try to attach a couple of pics, which absolutely give a false impression.  Google stuff for better photography.

Having fun.  Wish you were here.  But if you come, organize better than me.  And think about walking somewhere that does't have a movie about it.  Makes it hard to find somewhere to sleep.

Time for a Pilgrims Meal.  16 Euros.  See how that goes.

Cheers

Jim