Day 13 Atapuerca Village to Burgos

Atapuerca Village to Cardeñuela Riopico to Burgos. 13.1 miles. A short easy day into Burgos. The real path has you walking on the shoulder of a highway for 8 miles, so we opted for the detour route. Was a little tricky to find as it was a little dirt path off the side of the highway that took you around the Burgos airport before eventually leading into a town and then a paved path along the river into Burgos. That path went on for almost 8 miles, with lots of Burgonians (ites?) out walking. And lots of really well behaved dogs living their best life jumping in and out of the river and rolling in the grass. Lots of Buen Camino from the locals.

My place was over a mile from the historic center, but right across from the Evolution Museum. Which was closed because, well, Spain on a Monday. We dropped bags and wandered to find a grocery store and a late lunch in Plaza Mayor. All the sites were closed for siesta so went back to shower and do laundry. Did a small amount of exploring later, but was very disappointed not to be able to see the Cathedral as they closed it that evening for some big music event in its front square. So I only saw the outside. Went into a few other churches, saw the El Cid statue and the Arco and Puerto de Santa Maria. I didn’t do much more because I have anither 19+ mile day tomorrow and it was getting late. Had a really good salmon and potato salad (vegetables and protein - yea!) for dinner, and found out a local anonymously paid for my dinner. So that was a really nice surprise. Suspect the socks with sandals and slightly smelly athletic attire gave me away as the only pilgrim in the place. Or perhaps they felt bad both the cathedral and museum were closed. Either way, I was grateful.

I’m disappointed I couldn’t fit in a rest day here. It seems like a great city with so much to explore. Have to return one day. That’s one big downside of the Camino - you see so many great places, but you can’t really explore them because they aren’t open when you go by or get to your stopping point, you simply don’t have time or you just need to keep walking the next day. I suspect it’s why the forums and guidebooks suggest taking at least 45 days to do the Camino.Baca selengkapnya