Burgos Cathedral

195 miles done. 305 to go. 39% of the way.

Rest day today in Burgos, Spain. Had breakfast and then toured the Cathedral. The immense wealth and treasures from hundreds of years ago was staggering. While walking on the Camino the past few days, I’ve been listening to the audiobook of Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett that explores the intertwined lives of a stonemason and his family and a monk who rises through the ranks in the church and their subsequent work together in building a cathedral in the 1100s. To be visiting cathedrals and envisioning the cultural and religious landscapes in the time which these cathedrals were being built is a great listening experience while on Camino. I’d read the book before, but it is much different listening and walking in the shadows of these magnificent buildings than simply reading the book back home.

After the Cathedral, I spent a couple of hours at the Museum of Human Evolution. It was fascinating. Spain is home to some major archeological sites (Atapuerca being the chief among them, which is just outside Burgos). The way that scientists, in their various fields, have been able to piece together our ancestral beginnings and present them in an easy-to-navigate museum was a great learning opportunity. Highly recommend if you are ever in Burgos.

Dinner was ahhhhmazing. I found a highly rated restaurant in all of Burgos, Restaurante Casa Ojeda (as far as fine dining is concerned because Burger King also had the same amount of stars).

1. Vino Tinto (local house red wine)

2. Sopa Castellana (Castilian Soup) Made with garlic, paprika, olive oil, and a boiled egg, garnished with pancetta, and served with crusty bread. If ever on death row, this would be a part of my final meal, just as an FYI.

3. Confitado de Cordero con Risotto de Verdura (Lamb Confit with Vegetable Risotto) Tender lamb morsels wrapped in prosciutto with an earthy risotto that tempered the sweetness of the au jus.

4. Esfera de Chocolate (Chocolate Sphere) White chocolate sphere that melted open by poured hot chocolate revealing a sphere of coffee ice cream on top of a toffee crumble.

5. Vino de Postre (local dessert wine from Castillo y Leon)

6. Cappuccino con Pastas Dulces (coffee with sweet pastries)

66€ ($70.09) Crazy, right?!

If you wonder how I have the time to write these posts, remember I have nothing better to do this entire month than drink cafe con leches, walk, eat, drink vino, and visit the occasional church or museum. Mucho tiempo libre!Read more