Day 16 - Atapuerca to Burgos - 6:30 am to 11:30 am - 12 miles
It was our coldest morning start yet. Even with a climb up to Cruceiro/Punta de Vista at 3,510 ft. we remained quite cool wearing our wind jackets with hoods up. Gloves would have been nice.
We walked through the remote village of Villaval past the church in ruins and the Roman well at the end of the village. We stopped for coffee and tortilla in the next town. We walked on a very quiet asphalt road for some time and could hear a cuckoo on occasion.
We walked in the outskirts of Burgos, population 170,000, for a long time. We passed by the airport and an industrial area. We probably walked for at least 90 minutes or more til we approached the center. We stopped for another coffee.
We passed some men who it seemed were also walking the Camino. When I said 'Hola', the man closest to me said 'Where are you from?' I was a little surprised and said the United States, Georgia. He had walked from France to Burgos to visit a friend. His name was Jacque and he lives in Northern France. He speaks many languages and we had a very nice but brief conversation before he said it seems your husband will leave you if you don't catch up to him...
We have also seen a young woman everyday named Maria who is from Brazil. She loaned Frankie a knee brace many days ago. Today when we passed her I asked what time she had left Atapuerca and she said 6:15 am. We left about 30 min. after her. I told her Frankie had asked us yesterday if we had seen her and at that time we had not because she was ahead of us. She asked if Frankie was walking or had taken the bus. We told her Frankie was walking. Thus goes the grape vine of the Camino. Today I told Frankie Maria was staying at the municipal albergue.
Somehow we got off the Camino as we came closer to the center. We kept asking and were told we were on the Camino. We finally managed to spot a yellow arrow and to stumble upon our hotel. We found a great deal on booking.com a few days ago and have gone from a bedroom in a double-wide mobile home to a junior suite in a 4-star hotel, Palacio de Los Blasones, minutes from the Cathedral de Santa Maria.
We are appreciative of all kinds of accommodations. After my time on the Appalachian Trail, any bed is wonderful.
Stoney enjoyed a shower, washed his socks and went on a recon mission. I enjoyed a long soak in the tub and relaxing on the bed while typing this entry. The second cafe con leche may have been a bit much for my stomach. It is a it unsettled.
We had a light lunch, just a first course, in the hotel restaurant. It was delicious and the atmosphere was wonderful. Even though we were dressed in our hiking clothes, we were treated as if we were wearing our nicest attire.
Next was a tour of the Cathedral using self-guided recording.
Just before entering the Cathedral I saw Frankie, the woman with knee problems. We continue to see her at some point everyday and she continues to hobble onward. What determination!!!!
We returned to the hotel and Stoney asked about a good pizza place. The receptionist called her favorite and they delivered to our room. We dined in the living room of our suite (haha). Sure was nice to stay off my feet. We have two slices left we will have as a snack some time tomorrow.
Our room is at the end of a hallway and so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I won't need ear plugs tonight.
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