Day 14 To Burgos

Day 14 Sept 22 Destination = Burgos / 513 km to go. It will be a 23 km day. Outstanding desayunos this morning. Thank you El Aquinista- for your hospitality last nite and this morning- I will remember our stay for ‘Ages 😎 to come’ !

“If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk”
-Raymond Inmom

I will ratchet back my distances covered for the next 10 days to 20 km - likely with my first big rest day in Leon. This is based on how I feel by days end - strongly reinforced today by my ‘bunk neighbor’ developing shin splints 4 days prior. He had to take 2 days off but is here now, continuing. If they get worse he said he’ll drop out and head back to Milan.
For some reason the second half of today’s walking was exceedingly difficult and upon entry into the greater metropolis of Burgos was rather demoralizing. Sensory overload I guess pouting the pavement for miles to get to ‘old town’. Fleeting thought of the plausibility of pulling off walking another 350 miles 😱 Poor infrequent signage and it seemed to take forever to get to the other side of the city- el centro - when I finally got there (3 pm) I stumbled upon the cathedral municipal hostel and didn’t think twice about getting the (dormitory) room. As in, “I need a room, and I need to lay down - NOW! Rather pricey for a Muni at €10. Covid compliance prevents sharing a bunk thank goodness. Location = 5’ from the cathedral right in the center of all the ‘action’, restaurants, and shops.

On the way to Burgos

Late season ground cover blooming were wonderful ‘reminders’

Yup ! Sun came out literally as I passed it ! True story. My friend and I split up on this mini-mesa walking at much different paces to take in the moment lost in our own thoughts, inspirations, and awe. Didn’t see each other until Burgos cathedral

Destination Burgos on the other side of the valley. Walked alone from here. Next rest area / bar about 4km ahead downhill behind the tree on the left. A lot of downhill, knees forcing me to move at 2/3 normal pace.

Literally pounding the pavement. Noisy, a work day for most, and the pervasive ‘ode de diesel’. Faded marker. I did not like the 5 mile walk from the edge of the city through urban Burgos. Off trail for short distances all thru town, stopped for cafe con leche to get a little backpack relief and to regroup, but I knew the general direction of the Cathedral. West !

Today I learned the entire Camino is a UNESCO World heritage site

At last, Burgos cathedral. Beautiful art installation at the Cathedral in commemoration of the Jacobean year of the Camino, the 800th anniversary of the cathedral, and yes, us walkers! Very emotional to turn the corner at the plaza, see this beautiful art installation, and walk through as a participant

Me. Each of these identical esculpturas were customized by a different artista. Can I take one home ? !

I will try to get into the Prado Museum (in Madrid) before I leave - here in Burgos on the promenade they have a special exhibition of 50 of ‘the best’ of their 8200 works. These were just incredible fantastic reproductions. These are outstanding images with explanations of the different styles, techniques used, and eras. Baroque, romantic, renaisssance. You could easily spend an hour or two viewing and contemplating.