Moving Towards Santiago

   We are finally in a private albergue with two bedrooms for the four of us.  Last night we were in the most cramped municipal albergue we've experienced.  The bunks were right up against each other, so it helped if you knew your bunkmate.  We are in Castrojeriz with (so far) dependable wi-fi and can do the blog.  Here's the catch up---

   Mon Sept 16
   We are leaving Santo Domingo, walking to Belorado, 23km.  It was a long hard day of walking.  Half of today's walk was parallel to the busy main road with little shelter and water.  Today is Rob and Cindy's 18th wedding anniversary.  Rob pulled a muscle in his leg, but he was still a faster walker than we were.  They stayed in a hotel in Belarado that was attached to the albergue we stayed in. 

   Sept 17
   We walked to Villafranca Montes De Oca, 12km.  An easy day for us to rest and Rob to recuperate.  We stayed in a fancy albergue, San Anton Abad, in the rear of the exclusive hotel of which it is a part.  The owner has travelled the camino and understands the needs of the pilgrims.  He is very welcoming indeed.

   Sept 18
   We "cheated" and took the bus from Villafranca to Burgos.  The first part of the walk would have been a lot of up and down and the last 10km's into Burgos is a tough slog through heavy industrial area.  Got into Burgos at 10:30am and found the albergue with 150 beds that opened at noon.  Stood in line for an hour and got beds.  The albergue filled up by 2pm.  We then took a tour of the 13th century Cathedral de Santa Maria which is among the most beautiful of Spain's many cathedrals and one of its largest.  It was breathtaking.

   Thur Sept 19
   Left in the dark for Hornillos del Camino, 21km.  We entered the mysterious and beautiful Meseta .  There are endless crop fields of wheat, barley and oats along with sunflowers.  The rolling hills and a lot of flat paths are easier on the knees and toes (although Kathy has both knees in ace wrap and Tom has a nasty blister on his left little toe).
    Cindy's birthday was today.  We met a delightful couple from Switzerland, who sang happy birthday to her as a duet from an old English song.  In the evening at a pilgrim dinner we all sang to her in the traditional manner.
   We stayed in a medieval village called Hornillos del Camino.  This was the place of the cramped bunks and one bathroom for all.  The albergue was next to a beautiful old Gothic church.  We were able to spend some quiet time inside the church.  It was wonderful as we've had so little time for quiet reflection since we began our walk.  We say a Rosary and a Chaplet of Mercy every day while walking for special intentions, but otherwise it's up early, walk and do necessary stuff afterwards, go to bed and start over the next day.
   The first two weeks was survival, not a lot of time for introspection.  We're hoping to get some time alone on the Mesata, to be with ourselves, nature and God.  We're feeling stronger and can walk longer than we ever thought possible.
   We bumped into 91yr old Mike in Burgos.  He's looking for a cortisone shot for his hip, but is still trucking.
   It's fun bumping into pilgrims we started out with and meeting new ones too.
   Tired of the "camino race" to get lodging.  Didn't realize how crowded this is.  The movie "The Way" made this pilgrimage very popular.  Part of the experience is trusting we'll find a bed and have the health to carry on.

   Fri Sept 20
   Walked to Castrojeriz, 20km today.  We have our own private bedroom with bathtowels--first time since we started. 
   Meseta beautiful--hot sun, cool breeze and millions of annoying flies.  This morning we saw the full moon and the rising sun when we started out.

   On to Fromista tomorrow.  26km's. Early start for us...