Rest Day: Burgos

Disconnecting ...

When we left on this journey we made a conscious decision

It was made with forethought and would be carried out with precision

We would do our best to disconnect from our regular life commitments

To enable us to enjoy this experience, be more fully present

This means not engaging in discussions about how we earn our way

No tv, limited Internet, not following the news each day

This has been freeing, allowing us to explore different ways of being

Our creativity is coming out, at least that seems to be what we're seeing

The day to day responsibilities haven't pulled at us as much as expected

That's been a bit of a surprise upon which I've reflected

It seems we are learning to develop a new sense of perspective

One that is more open, less directive

Well...this has been nice. A rest day...no gear prep, no early morning, no walking in a down pour, no hospital visit! Actually it's been a bit strange. Caught up with emails early the morning while Annemarie slept and then after a MORNING SHOWER and checking out we found a nice little place for breakfast.

Then it was on to a new hotel which is simpler, but much nicer and more to our taste in the center of old town where we dumped our gear and headed off to see the pride of Burgos...it's cathedral. 

We've seen many churches and mosques and other places of worship, but I have to say that the Spanish put their purge of the New World into a splurge in the Old World. The churches and cathedrals in places like Madrid, Granada, Sevilla, Toledo, Burgos and I understand Leon (will see shortly) are by far amount the finest in Europe. Romanesque and Gothic style are evident throughout with construction beginning in the 12th C completing as late as the 17th C with restoration and updates, and more of the latter in recent times (feel free to correct me Erin). The inside is quite amazing with artisans from all over Europe contributing to the work, particularly during the Renaissance Period. Sit back and enjoy a few photos...

All churched out and a bit overwhelmed, we did what we usually do...we ate more food! Off to a tapas bar for lunch and some very nice wine. The wine you receive with the menu del dia is usually pretty cheap stuff...the reds usually better than the whites, but no where near at a fine wine level. When you go out for tapas or pinchos you can ask for a very, very good glass of wine and believe me, it's still a deal! And sooooo good!

Eating in Spain is a delight. There is always something new to try, and we've learned not to ask too many questions, or you just might not proceed...just point at what you desire and then eat it...no more questions asked! Seldom have we been disappointed. Best part...well not the best part, but e fun part, is you get to throw your used napkin on the floor...I kid you not, and no one gets upset either!

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As i've suggested previously, one of the joys of the Camino is the folks you meet and reconnect with along the way. Yesterday after arriving we had thought that our very long walk in to Burgos would unfortunately separate us from some nice connections we'd made. No need to worry. As we were walking in search of a place to get a good meal last night (so much is closed here on a Sunday night) and out of the blue a fellow we had met from Paris dragged us into a place he was having tapas in and told us how good the food and wine was. He spoke to the bar keep and was told that they would serve us a full meal upstairs...so up we went only to meet two new folks from the Netherlands...and then a short time later we were joined by two fellows from Melbourne (Peter and Dave) who we had met twice since Logrono. We had a wonderful meal together and arrived back at our hotel at about midnight, this after having walked 8 hours and 38 kms! Met more folks today from other stages, so it's one big flowing social here.

Annemarie has generated a bit of poetry (you read a bit at the start), but first I'll leave you with one more photo for contemplation.

Buen Camino!

And................

...And Connecting

We have never before felt more connected to those at home

Normally our contacts are more sporadic when we roam

The blog plays a central role in keeping the communication channels open 

It's a secondary benefit well beyond what we were hopin'

When I think of a blog, I think of one way information flow

That it would turn out to be more reciprocal I didn't know

But as daily comments come in, we know you are all there

You're actually reading it...you're enjoying what we share

This gives us the sense that you are all with us as we walk

Sometimes we even hear your voices while we talk

While we post primarily as our own personal record

We now recognize there is more than that being stored

And we look to add things that will hit a specific chord

...heaven forbid that you might get bored

We picture you as you start your new day

Firing up the computer and checking in to see else we have to say

All of this makes us feel that we are doing this together with you

So keep those comments coming and we'll keep the blog up, too