Getting to the Camino

We began with our Uber ride to GSP at 10:00 a.m. on May 8 and arrived at our hotel in Pamplona at 2:00 p.m. on May 9. Total time intransit was 22 hours. Here’s a photo account of our journey:

Chick-Fil-a brunch at GSP … waiting for our 12:59 flight.

Waiting to board and happy after confirming our backpacks were loaded via the AA app.

Also waiting to board our flight were two pilgrims (we spotted shells on their backpacks) from Chapel Hill, NC. This will be the first Camino for Jake and second for Ciara. They were going to start their Camino in St Jean Pied de Port (SJPDP).

Waiting for takeoff in CLT. The eight hour flight began on schedule but was full and cramped. Sleep was at best, limited and fretful. The flight was otherwise smooth and uneventful.

Arriving at MAD at 5:30 a.m., then taking in the incredible architecture and decor of our favorite airport as we walked to customs.

After clearing customs, which was very efficient… taking only 15 minutes to handle a long queue… we took multiple escalators down to the airport subway level.

The wait for the subway was only 4 minutes. And the ride to the main terminal was only 5 minutes.

… we took more escalators from the subway level to the massive baggage recovery area…

… where our backpacks were waiting for us. It’s always a relief to retrieve our backpacks!

From the baggage recovery area we took a mobile walkway back up to the Iberia departures area, where we received our boarding passes and rechecked our backpacks for the flight to Pamplona. All the Iberia staff we encountered were welcoming, professional and efficient.

Next, we cleared through security without incident and got directions to an eatery near the gate for boarding the noon flight to Pamplona.

Beginning our wait for the fight to Pamplona and enjoying a breakfast of cafe con leche and an almond croissant.

Our flight departed from MAD on time and touched down in Pamplona at 1:30 p.m.

Part of Pamplona seen on our approach to the airport.

The Pamplona airport is pretty small and basic from the outside…

… and pretty basic inside, as well. Our checked backpacks were already waiting for us on the turnstile by the time we deplaned and walked about a 100 yards on the tarmac to inside.

Taxis arrived shortly after we landed and by 2:00 p.m, we were checking-in to our Pamplona hotel, located in the old section of the city.

Our host recommended a restaurant a few steps from our hotel. We dropped our belongings into our room and had a nice meal before crashing in our room after a tiring, 4000 mile trip.