Camino Day 13: San Juan de Ortega to Burgos
“If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”
Day 13: 31.6 kilometres - 45,021 steps
Donna’s boots are still soaking wet, so I an effort to avoid blisters she is taxiing to Burgos with the bag service. I will walk to Burgos by myself. I love the opportunity to pick up the pace and have some alone time. I leave the hotel at 8am. No other pilgrims around. I walk through the forest path alone and it’s amazing. The path gets very rough, up the top of a crest where the view breaks open and I see Burgos, spread out below. Long way still to go!
I chat for a while with another pilgrim from Spain, travelling with his elderly father (also Spanish). His dad has walked The Camino every year for 7 years. This is the sons first time. He lives in the Netherlands and we talk about the Spanish economy and the challenges he feels the European Union is facing, it reminds me that the world continues on around our little Camino bubble. His father wants to stop to rest, so I continue on alone all the way to Burgos.
It’s a public holiday – May Day – and everyone is out enjoying the glorious weather. I make the decision to walk into town via the river path – its fabulous. I love walking by myself. I feel strong and assured and arrive at the hotel around 1pm. Donna is just stepping out of the lift and is surprised to see me so soon. I’m happy to quickly change and head out for a tapas lunch. The city is so pretty and vibrant. The bars are heaving and the antique carousel is working, a beautiful double layer of painted horses bobbing in circles, the melody floating over the topiary lined avenues. The Cathedral is breathtaking, the sun illuminating the stained glass panels, leaves us in awe.
After lunch I look at our itinerary. It suddenly hits me that this is a LONG WALK! We have travelled so far but its not even a half of what we have yet to do. Sylvie arrives tonight and I hope she will love every minute of this amazing adventure.
POSTCARDS FROM San Juan de Ortega to Burgos
