Basque Pelote and…

In the US known as Jai Alai, which in Euskara means “merry festival”

We had hoped to see this being played here in SJPDP, as there’s a game every Friday and Sunday. Friday I was out of commission; today the game was canceled. Such a disappointment!

I’m walking! Back twinges almost gone. We ran into Laurence today after many days of not crossing paths. She recommended lots of water and a foot massage. I’m so lucky that Charlie obliged with the massage. I have been guzzling water. We saw a Korean pilgrim today that we had seen a number of times while walking. Stopped to chat and have a coffee. Asked about walking over the Pyrenees, I told her about my back problem. She took hold of my left hand and started applying pressure at different points. When I yelped at a certain one, she kept at it – digging in with the blunt end of a small horn from some animal. She told me to do it often myself. And to put my hands in warm water. She left to catch a train to Bayonne. As we hugged goodbye,  she pounded on my back. I clung to her. Lo and behold, it wasn’t long after I really started feeling much better! Yes, i did apply the technique myself and continue to do so. The Chemin provides.

Veronica – healer

I think the problem was that I limited my water intake while walking so I wouldn’t have to pee so much. Lack of water equated to back seizure. Lesson learned.

A little bit of sun this afternoon…

Rivière Nive

Tried a local Basque snack – croquettes chipirones…

Crunchy outside, soft paste inside – squid with cuttlefish ink. Tasty, but won’t have again.
Base of city ramparts at entry point
The portal to SJPDP

I finally got to walk around the city today and take some photos. Was too caught up in the entry on Thursday and greeting fellow arrivals to take photos.

Low clouds in the Pyrenees

And that’s a wrap for today. Bises.

10 thoughts on “Basque Pelote and…

  1. Connie Whitley's avatar Connie Whitley June 23, 2024 / 3:02 pm

    Thanks for sharing your trip. I really enjoyed your photos and observations.

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    • pgsteele4's avatar pgsteele4 June 24, 2024 / 5:24 am

      Thank you Connie. I appreciate hearing from you.

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  2. Linnea Hendrickson's avatar Linnea Hendrickson June 23, 2024 / 4:17 pm

    Gorgeous pictures. Especially the one of the river. What amazing experiences you are having! It is wonderful that you get to spend some extra time in St Jean. It was a place where I connected with walkers met previously along the trail, too, but I didn’t have much time there—just one night—not enough! So glad your back is doing better—and the wonderful healers! The Camino experience continues!

    Coming to an end is difficult, so taking time to stay connected a bit longer is good. saying goodbye to companions on the way is hard, as is transitioning from pèlerin to tourist. Maybe that’s why I keep going back

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    • pgsteele4's avatar pgsteele4 June 24, 2024 / 5:54 am

      The pelerin experience is unique. Each time it opens wide the eyes and the heart. Each day provides many new possibilities that are impossible to determine in advance. You know you’ll be walking and you know you have a place to stay, but exactly what each will deliver is a mystery until you live it. Sometimes it’s a bit of a disappointment, though never horrible. Most times it’s rewarding. Even the disappointing and challenging. Yes. That’s why we return. The totality of the moments is nourishing.

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  3. Esther Jantzen's avatar Esther Jantzen June 23, 2024 / 5:15 pm

    Oh, I was saved once on the over-the-Pyrenees trail to Roncesvalles by a Korean woman who helped me up when I fell. So interesting to have healing/ support from the angels from Korea! They know a great deal about the human body!

    Love, Esther

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    • pgsteele4's avatar pgsteele4 June 24, 2024 / 5:22 am

      Earlier in thevtrip I saw her treating someone’s feet. She’s an angel alright.

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    • pgsteele4's avatar pgsteele4 June 24, 2024 / 5:22 am

      Oh! I hear you’re in Albuquerque. Ping pong 🏓 this week?

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      • crismcholistic's avatar crismcholistic June 24, 2024 / 11:13 am

        I am surprised you never heard of hand reflexology or foot reflexology. Yes Chemin provides, such an angel to appear and give you relief! Keep doing it. Your pics are wuite beautiful. As is your journey for one who has to “sit this one out”…see doc for postop visit tomorrow. Thankyou for the candle, again prayer provides!

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      • pgsteele4's avatar pgsteele4 June 24, 2024 / 11:23 am

        I have heard of both hand and foot reflexology, but wouldn’t know where to begin. Praying for good news at the doc tomorrow. Glad you’re enjoying the trip.

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  4. crismcholistic's avatar crismcholistic June 24, 2024 / 11:29 am

    Happy you also are finding relief. Looks like a daunting journey but you make it sound easy and fun…well, of course it’s fun, you guys are having an adventure together.

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