Walking From St Jean

[mikie]

My wife and I are departing on sept 16 from Ottawa and arriving at St Jean on the 17th sept. at apporx. 1PM. We haven't decided whether to do the 10KM to the hostel l'Orisson or stay that first night in St Jean to climatise ourselves to the 6 hour time difference. It depends on how we feel with the time delay. Has anyone else done it and is it a good idea? We will have our Canadian Company of Pilgrims emblem on our packs. Anyone else from the Ottawa area leaving at the same time?

[Leslie]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I have walked to Orisson on the first day leaving St Jean about 1pm. I find that this part of the St Jean to Roncesvalles is the hardest part and I did like breaking it in two - as the first time I was very unfit.

Orisson is a great place to stay the night and if the weather is good the views in the morning are quite incredible and well worth staying there. Remember however it is one of the few places that you will have to book ahead - you can call them from St Jean or email ahead of time and book a place. Book yourself in for an evening meal also as there is nowhere else to eat nearby.

[Camino2010]

Hello, mikie

I am flying from Halifax on Sept. 13th (one week from today!) but because of my travel connections via Madrid, I'll arrive in St. Jean on Sept. 15th (I'll overnight in Pamplona on the 14th). I debated whether or not to head out to Orisson on the 15th but I decided to stay overnight in St. Jean because I want to take my time on this trip and enjoy the town for an evening - and it will give me an extra night to sleep away any jetlag I experience. I made a reservation at Orisson about three weeks ago and was offered space in one of the overflow tents up on the hillside behind the main building. That will be interesting! I'd joked about camping on the Camino and now, at least for my first night, I guess I'll get to experience it :-).

If you plan to stay at Orisson I recommend you contact Jean-Jacques right away (if you haven't already). As for whether or not to spend a first overnight in St. Jean, I'll be dealing with a 5 hour time difference and I thought it would be a good idea for me. Whatever you decide, perhaps you and your wife and I will meet up along the way!

Best wishes, Rachel

[mikie]

Hi Rachel. Great to hear another Canadian is doing the trek. We have now decided to stay the first night in St Jean to recoup from time difference and take in the sights. We are going to play by ear for l'Orisson. I had booked l'Orisson for the night of the 17th when we arrive in St Jean but now decided against it. We will check at the Pilgrim Office in st Jean to book space at l'Orisson if we think we cannot make it to Roncesvalle in one shot on the 18th. I reserved at l'Orisson a couple of weeks ago for the 17th but will now cancel. Did you have to send a deposit for l'Orisson and if you did how did you do it. I do hope we meet on the way - we both have orange backpacs with Canadian Company of Pilgrims insigna.

Cheers,
Mike & Marg

[Camino2010]

Hi, Mike. I'm happy you're decided on staying in St. Jean, I hope you have a lovely evening there! I did have to pay a deposit for Orisson, yes. Jean-Jacques sent a PayPal bill and I paid that way. I'll keep an eye out for your orange backpacks. I have a Gregory Jade 50 (jade green/blue), also with a Canadian Company of Pilgrims patch!

[mikie]

Hi Rachel. Smalll correction. Our bags are actually grey with orange trim. Can't wait to get to St Jean. Hope to see you and other Canadians on the road.
Cheers,
Mike

[Kansas098]

When you e-mailed Jean-Jacques at l'Orisson for your reservations can you do that in English?

[Camino2010]

I e-mailed in English, yes, and Jean-Jacques replied to me in English. That said, I was so surprised to be offered space in a tent (I couldn't understand their website well enough to know whether tents were mentioned), I had a friend of mine from France telephone Orisson for me and ask about tents! Turned out that they are indeed mentioned on the website (according to my friend), and I felt comfortable enough to book the reservation - especially after I found some forum postings about others who have stayed in tent space before. I hope that helps!