Thoughts on an extra day at SJPDP

[LakeMcD]

I fly into Madrid and will stay in Bizkarreta on June 22nd and the hostel will transport me to SJPDP the next morning to start my camino. I've never set foot in France before and am wondering if it would be a shame to leave it's borders immediately. As such might it be a better idea to backtrack one of the other routes leading into St Jean for a few hours to stretch my legs, take in the energy, spend the night in St Jean and start off for Roncevelles the next morning. Thoughts?

 

[Kiwi-family]

I would!
You could walk the first part of La Voie de la Nive or the Camino heading away from St Jean or any one of the many other routes round the region.
And save some time to wander in the wee town itself. It's special.

 

[John Finn]

I wouldn't. As you will be arriving in St Jean in the morning I would head for Roncesvalles that day (assuming you have recovered from your jet-lag). What's the point in hanging around? You will have seen all there is to be seen in St Jean in an hour or so. Anyhow, you will be walking through France for a few hours on your way over the Route Napoleon and it will stretch your legs into the bargain.

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Love the city and anxious to get out.

 

[jeffnd]

Do it. Take the day. Travel takes a lot out of a person and if you think you'll need another day to recover, you probably will!

 

[WldWil]

I have the same arrival scenario. It is my shorter schedule that has me leaving the morning that I am dropped off in SJPP. I was torn with the decision as well, but limited on days of walking.

This may be a bit nitty gritty, but I am getting my first stamp at my local parish before leaving home in the USA, the next stamp in SJPP with any news or updates I may need at the office located there and I am off.

 

[Susan hopes]

I arrived in SJPP at about 7:30 p.m., and I wish (oh, how I wish) I had stayed an extra day. It would have been good to rest, relax and recover from the horrendous trip. I would have like to chat with some of the locals, get a better sense of the history of the town that I did not read online, and just wander.

If you have the option, then I vote for "stay."

 

[LakeMcD]

I love this forum. Thanks to all that replied.