Some Thoughts and Pictures

We have been home for a few weeks now and have had a chance to process our thoughts about our trek across France and frankly, I don't think I can adequately sum up what we experienced.  But here are my (Ed's) random thoughts: The trail was tough at times. There was beauty everywhere; in nature, in art, in architecture and much more.  The people of France were so hospitable.  The food was amazing and plentiful.  Many people's behavior left us scratching our heads.  And so on and so forth. Rather than ramble any farther, I will adhere to the old adage, "a picture is worth a thousand words" and leave some links to our photo album and a slide show video.  Enjoy!

Chemin 2015 Pictures

Chemin 2015 Video

Day 37: Montserrat to Barcelona - Train & Bus

Awoke to a thick fog over the high mountain. We would not be deterred. We were going to see something while we were there. Ate a big buffet breakfast at the hotel including way too much coffee. Got ready and checked out of the hotel (they allowed us to keep our bags there while we explored). Meandered around in the fog and found a trail called the Cami Dels Degotalls which was a path lined with tile pictures of Mary. It was also a Camino De Santaigo path! Can't seem to get off that trail. Headed back toward the main area where we found some market vendors selling fig cakes and cheese including Mato cheese that is a curd like cheese that is eaten with honey. Very good. Went by the post office there and mailed our trusty Opinel knife back home since we can't take it on the plane. Took the funicular train (it's one of those steep mountain rail cars). Down to a path that we followed to the Santa Cova where its purported that someone once had an encounter with Mary. The chapel is built over a cave in the side of the mountain. We did one other trail to a high peak but unfortunately the fog prevented any good views today. We finally gathered our bags and grabbed the trains down the mountain to head back to Barcelona. Upon arrival we grabbed some things for tomorrow's travels but also found a medieval street festival just starting which had some great food vendors. Caught a bus to the airport where we met the shuttle for our hotel. Whew! Decompressing before the big plane ride back to the U.S. In the morning. Hoping the storms back home don't prevent us from getting there. 

Have decided to leave our shoes behind. Good bye, old friends {sniff ; (  }

Day 36: Barcelona to Montserrat - Train

Threat of rain subsided so we got ready to head to Montserrat. A bit of a walk to the train station but along the way we were successful in getting coffee at a nice shop plus a couple small sandwiches for lunch. Found a market building where we got another sandwich and some fruit. Found our train and rode the one hour to the mountain top monastery. Got some info, dropped our backpacks at our hotel and had lunch. Then attended the short service where we heard the boys choir sing. The experience was a bit tainted as the throng of tourists ignored the requests and took many pictures with flash during the service. There was just a complete lack of respect and reverence. Disappointing. Took off afterwards and hiked to the top of the peaks at Sant Jeroni. Scary steep and windy cold. On the way down we had hoped to ride the funicular train back down to the monastery level but you had to have a ticket and couldn't buy one at the top. We ended up walking all the way back down. Found out later our train ticket included the funicular ride. Ha ha! Oh well. The whole area is geared towards the tourists and the souvenirs ($$). Very little info about the hiking and the trails are poorly marked. When we got back, we looked around a bit in shops and finally cleaned up and rested until our late dinner at the restaurant here. It was very nice. 

Hotel Abat Cisneros - A good hotel

Day 35: Pamplona to Barcelona - Train

Lazy morning in the hotel. Cafe con Leche and then checked out and walked to the train station. Four hour trip and we arrived in Barcelona where we were greeted by Anna, our good friend we met last year on the Camino Primitivo. Hung out at a cafe and caught up on our lives. We sadly had to part ways but had a great visit. We walked for a bit until we found our Barcelona hideaway. Dropped our bags and walked a bit more towards the Plaça and the La Rambla area. The amount of people walking the streets here is staggering. Were able to find an early dinner salad. Searched a bit and finally found some good boutique sweet treats. 

H La Paloma - Boutique hotel. Quirky but nice.