2019 Spain, Camino Del Norte: Arrival in Irun, Pre Camino

I arrived in Irun yesterday by RENFRE Train with a short switch over in San Sebastián. Departing Barcelona I took a comfortable first class seat 22 euros but the long 6-hour journey to San Sebastián before waiting 30 minutes for the commuter train to Irun. There was a station manager holding a sign so the switch was easy she gave me a new ticket and I sat and waited. I must admit I was feeling exhausted and jet lag was setting in so much from Barcelona that I heard my self snoring on the train. Oops, I hope no one else heard me, equally I felt the same on the short ride to the final stop on the commuter but I managed to stay awake.

The entire journey I didn’t see one pilgrim or Camino sign until I started walking to my hotel in Irun. First I saw the usual Camino arrow but this one was in the sidewalk then I saw two obvious pilgrims walking the opposite way and who tried to point me in the way of the Camino but I declined to show exhaustion by saying no, no hotel…with that a buen Camino and they were on their way.

Nice city Irun.. bustling with activity and uncomplicated…signs everywhere. My hotel was easy to find follow the yellow signs thru town. The Hotel Alcazar is a 3 star and is a nice cost with breakfast included.
It’s an older hotel and is located out of the downtown but within 2 minutes of 2 markets and shopping and 5 minutes from the downtown center. It is also 500 meters from the bridge to Hendaye, France which some might say is the official start to the Camino. I put my pack in my room and looked for a place to eat. 1-minute walk I found dinner at a local bar. Dinner consisted of some delicious local food menu de dia ( menus of the day) 3 courses 12 euros. Delicious! The next morning after much sleep, wake, sleep, exhaustion, and sleep some more. I missed free breakfast again darn it ..hmm tomorrow for sure, I walked across to France checked it out and walked back to Spain. How many people can say they did that before lunch?

The exhaustion was setting in again and my body was feeling weak not having breakfast so I set out to look for food in Irun. Sunday not much is open but if you walk towards the main square just follow the Spanish locals who are out for pinchos and a beer. Where they go I follow.

I found a nice beef steak and fries and croquets and egg but I’m allergic so hold the egg, please. Everything comes with fries, some agua con gas (sparkling water) to wash it down for 11 euros. A nice sunny day today watching the children play and I had a nice walk but it told me why I took today to rest, I will take another day tomorrow. My mind is confused, my body is restless and I feel tired even without my pack so back to my room…blog and rest, some Camino research and tomorrow the tourist office for my first sello (pilgrim passport stamp) I will also get one at my hotel just to keep things normal.