I woke up early, organized my luggage bag and backpack, and walked the block or so to the Bayonne train station. I got on the first train to St. Jean Pied de Port at 07:40. There was only one other rider, and the ticket was just €7. The train stopped in four small towns on the hour long ride.
Walking into St. Jean Pied de Port, I stopped at the post office first to ship my luggage ahead to Casa Ivar in Santiago de Compostela. The post office worker recommended I wrap the bag in plastic, so I left the bag at the post office while I ran to Carrefour to get plastic wrap. I then ran back to the post office and got the bag shipped out for €60.30.
Next, I continued into town to the pilgrim office. The two volunteers sold me a pilgrim's credential, provided me with maps and lodging listings, and gave advice about some of the trickier parts of the trail. I left my backpack there until the municipal albergue opened in the afternoon.
From there, I went to Bar Brasserie du Trinquet on the main drag. The food was cheap, but not very tasty. I had a hamburger on a baguette with fries.
I then walked around town and up to the Citadelle. I saw a lone trout swimming in the stream running through the city. I went to Carrefour again in the afternoon to buy food and water for tomorrow. Then I went back to the pilgrim office, retrieved my backpack, and checked into the municipal albergue for €10. I was the third one there by 15:00, but a couple hours later fourteen beds were occupied. Most of the pilgrims were Korean.
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| A foggy morning at the Bayonne train station. |
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| The single car train readying in Bayonne. |
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| The train station in St. Jean Pied de Port. |
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| The Nive River in St. Jean Pied de Port. |
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| Roncesvalles is beyond the hill with trees. |
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| St. Jean Pied de Port from the Citadelle above town. |
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| The municipal albergue. |
