Gone a Long Time

Miss the Camino.

The beginning and the end...

Charles is going twice.

Frequent flier miles are sending me over on the 3rd of May where I will hang out for a day or two and then meet up with Mona and Jim at some metro. The night before I am planning on having dinner at La Grille, some place I've read a little about, unless my plans change, or they won't let me in, or I can't get my nerve up to make a reservation in French (no website). Jet lag should let me get up in time for dinner.

Slightly upscale places to stay

On our first trip overseas, we stumbled on a book in one of our hotels. It was free apparently and lying on the side table so we snatched it up. The "relais du silence et charme" is full of moderately priced (depending on the dollar/euro relationship) nicely turned out places to stay.

We are looking at places like this, in addition to others.

For instance, we stayed here for a night, wishing it were more, in 2002. The price seems the same then as now. We assumed on seeing the room, and before finding out the rate, that there was no way we could afford it. The dollar was stronger then, but still...

Euskadi, Pays Basque, Pais Vasco

Link below to a pretty good article on the Basque country, both French and Spanish side, with some little insight into the differences between. And some names/places that might be worthwhile investigating, re where to stay, etc. (See Letkeito, Bakio...)

"Basque without Borders" on the NYTimes website.

Got Shoes with 100 days to go

Finally got some shoes from REI. Some sort of Keen. Still sussing them out to make sure they will last 500 miles and more importantly, not be cruel shoes.

Searching for Shoes

After increasing daily walks in number and weekly walks in length, need new shoes. REI doesn't seem to satisfy, so am heading to Skinny Raven Sports (who knows, maybe they will be a sponsor) with wonderful husband in tow to come to terms with mid versus low tops and how will soles (ha!) hold up to 500 miles of dusty road. Prepare for another rendition of 500 Miles. Developed pain in ankle after walk Sunday morning... Must be careful. Only 8 months to go.

The Route, (according to maps.google)

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