Mike McClenahan

May 13 Day 3: Zubiri to Pamplona We walked the Camino path along the river six hours from Zubiri to Pamplona. It rained a little, but the clouds opened up and there was sun. And then it would lightly rain again. Actually very refreshing for the Camino. Another beautiful day walking through farms with cows, miniature ponies, geese and chickens. I'm in awe of the beauty of creation, the friendliness of locals and the pilgrims from all over the world. We met a woman from London who is on the Camino as a life check up/balance. She belongs to a Jesuit small group that meets bi-weekly to read, share, be silent and pray together. She came alone. "I realized I don’t have community, so I joined a group. My church is small and older, and my boyfriend doesn’t go to church. I came on the Camino alone and was worried I’d be alone, but everyone is so friendly." Graffiti on the walls to protest unemployment or have a conversation about whether the region o

Day 2: Roncesvalles to Zubiri May 12, 2018 After an 18 mile day and 3800 elevation climb, we settled into our hostel, La Posada, and enjoyed the Peregrino meal with three Australians, a couple from Winnipeg, an art history student from Holland, and a New Yorker. The special Pilgrim’s Mass and Blessing at the church was packed—even the not-so-religious don’t turn down a blessing. Fortunately we are not driving—walking it’s only 753.4km to Santiago. We got an early start at 6:30. It rained earlier, but the rain held off for us till 10:30. We walked through farms and villages with horses, cows and sheep.  This is our Chingu friend. He is studying computer science in Korea and taking two months to walk the Camino before reporting for military service. We crossed over two passes and descended through the foothills of the Pyrenees. It rained for a few hours, which made the track a little more slippery and challenging.   We hiked six hours, 21.9km (13.6mi), t