Pamplona

Hey everyone!  We arrived in lovely Pamplona (but still jet-lagged zombies).  An interesting series of events traveling yesterday with mechanical problems (US Airways in Denver), rebooked airline tickets on United, horrible weather delays in Newark, and a 2-hour layover that turned into 2 minutes. BUT, we did make it to Madrid only a few hours later than originally planned.  Had to re-book the train tickets at Atoche railway station - but overall...we got off pretty easily! And free drinks and movies...so we were set!

Super easy to get the yellow express bus from the airport to Atoche railway station in downtown Madrid.

Jane getting our Eurorail pass in order.  Always remember your Jane when you travel!

Lovely landscapes (view from the train)

Jane's photo of an aqueduct (take from the train)

From Atoche station in Madrid this morning, we took a lovely 3-hr train ride through the Navarra region of Spain.  Rolling hills, grassland to forest and hills - it's lovely, cool and breezy here in Pamplona. We walked about 2k from the train station to historic Pamplona and after checking into this hotel Janie found, we ventured out for pinchos (or tapas) on the plaza, una botella de vino tinto and a gelato.  ;) We stopped at a market for provisions for tomorrow's camino walk - french bread/jamon/queso, etc.  Now...we are ready for bed.  Buen Camino en la manana from Larassoana back to Pamplona.  We're sort of doing the luxury version of the Camino...just a teaser for when I/we 'really' come back and experience the pilgrimage (this fall or next year...)

Bridge over the river Argo (between historic Pamplona and the rail station)

View from the hotel room at Maisonnave - photo from Jane

 Right outside the hotel...

Pinchos (tapas) on the Plaza del Castillo.  The wine is from the region of Viana (right off the Camino)

 St. Nicholas St - 2 streets over from our hotel