PAMPLONA, SPAIN TO SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT, FRANCE

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry – and so it was with our attempt to catch a bus from Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port. Imagine our dismay when we arrived at the bus stop, only to find every seat spoken for. But fear not, dear reader, for where there’s a will, there’s a way – and in our case, that way came in the form of a taxi, for a mere…choke…gasp…$120.  But hey, we had to get to France that day.

Now, let me tell you about European taxis. Forget about the spacious, comfortable rides you might be accustomed to in the States. No, these were small cars navigating winding mountain roads at breakneck speeds, with a rather inconvenient piece of plastic separating us from our intrepid driver. Suffice it to say, the view through the windshield left much to be desired, especially or poor Suzy, who found herself battling a bout of motion sickness.

But fear not, for our trusty taxi driver, Alejandro, was a beacon of kindness and hospitality. He actually stopped for her to get a breath of fresh air and even allowed her access to the front seat.  Despite our language barrier, we found common ground in our shared love for American music – particularly the heavy metal stylings of Metallica. With Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac serenading us along the way, Suzy’s motion sickness was soon forgotten as we wound our way through the picturesque countryside.

And so, after a journey filled with twists, turns, and a fair share of stomach-churning moments, we finally arrived in the quaint village of Saint Jean Pied de Port. With its cobbled streets and charming architecture, it was the perfect setting to begin our Camino adventure in earnest.