On the Camino-From Tom In Burgos

I laid up in Burgos with Ellen for a number of days during Semana Santa (Holy week), enjoying the sights, clean sheets, and Ellen’s company.  We were joined by Bob and Teresa, Teresa’s mom Carmen, David and Amy and Ellen’s friend Beverly; a grand gathering and different than most days along the camino. 

 I have completed about a third of the journey from Roncevalles to Santiago de Compostela ( about 250 Kilometers).

yes, there was snow the first few days

yeah, 790 kms!

the kms melt away

 The journey has gone through beautiful countryside, green fields, vineyards, and small villages with a bar or café where a pilgrim can pause for a café con leche or a cerveza or a great menu del perigrino.

 

The most enjoyable albergues so far have been complete opposites.  In Granon, a tiny town along the camino, I stayed in a hostel adjoining a church with two foot thick stone walls and a large warm common area where they serve a communal meal and breakfast.  I slept on the floor on matresses in a loft but the atmosphere was so warm that it made one feel like a genuine pilgrim.  The next albergue was an annex to a very nice hotel where the owner has walked the camino and wants to give something back, so he takes very good care of pilgrims. 

So far my journey has been blessed by a priest in Roncesvalles, a nun in a small exquisite church, a monk in the Monestario de Santo Domingo de Silos, other peregrinos, and various angelitos del camino who have gotten me back on track when the yellow arrows that mark the way have gone missing.  I have learned the Spanish word for mud is barro and that the wine is excellent and cheap everywhere.

famous wine fountain

Barro!!