Je suis en France!  I am so happy I am in France!  It is great finally being able to communicate as a thinking human being, not just like some sort of caveman!  I got in to Roncesvalles last night around 7:30 and about 6 of us shared a cab (a van, really) for the 40 minute ride to St. Jean Pied de Port (from now on referred to as SJPDP).  Two Spanish guys and I all checked in together at the Pilgrim Office and walked across the street to a refugio.  They made me go first since they didn't speak any French, so I walked into a warm, bright room full of people in the middle of a wonderful-smelling dinner and spoke with the man in charge of the refugio.  He checked his book amidst all the sounds of laughter and many languages being spoken and said, yes, he had room for three more.  They made a spot for us at the table next to the kitchen and we ate a delicious -really delicious - and vegetarian (yes!) meal.  We mostly spoke French and Spanish at our table (I bet you can guess which language I spoke) and it was just such a sweet, sweet time.  After dinner, they realized that they really didn't have enough spaces for us, (thank goodness for all that loud, international conversation!) so I got the overflow spot, which was actually a very good deal for me.  I slept on the floor in the attic where all the volunteers who work at the refugio stay.  It was very quiet and, except for people walking through in the morning, semi-private.  I guess my bedroom growing up makes me feel like that is a private experience.  For those of you who don't know, my bedroom growing up was the way my brothers with their bedrooms in the back of the house could get to the front of the house, namely mom and dad's room where the TV was.  So just having people walk through is not a big deal for me.  It was when they would stop and play a game of slow-motion football that was annoying.  Nobody here did that   (wouldn't that have been strange if they had!)

The man who runs the pilgrim office where I am writing this just showed me that there is a heat wave in So. Cal. right now.   Personally, I am in just the opposite.  It is COLD here!  I am using the sarong I brought (thank you, Shannon) for times when I'm wearing shorts and want to enter a church as a scarf.  Plus, I am wearing all my shirts (3) except the one I wore yesterday.  Lightens my load AND keeps me warm!  I completely bundled myself this morning when I strolled around the CItadel until it got too freezing.  Also, the very last thing my husband handed me to take were winter gloves-thank you! thank you! thank you!!! 
This also brings up whether or not I will get across the Pyrenees byy going over the top or through the valley.  Last night they recommended the valley, we will see what they say when Lydia gets here.  I have to remember to stay flexible. 

I feel much less lonely now that I can communicate.  I think I will be more compassionate and try harder with people back home who can't speak English.  It felt so isolating.  Having had such great internet access the last few days really helped because I got to see all the comments and guest book entries.  Oh yeah, if you want to make a specific comment on what I blog about, just add it as a comment and the next time I log on I will see it and click for it to be published.

So, thank you all for being part of it with me.  I may not have as much internet access once I am underway, but it has been really nice to have this for my beginning. 
Peace and blessings, my dear ones!
-Annie