Day 10

Still having problems getting pictures transferred over, so these next few posts will be text only.  Hope to have pics avail sometime soon.

Day 10 was Tues, the day we arrived in Burgos.  We had thought we had planned things so that we would have an easier day and arrive in the city earlier in the day so we would spend the day exploring.  It ended up being 16 mi, which wasn't bad itself, and the weather was wonderful.  No rain, almost no mud, nice breeze, and a fair amount of sun.  All perfect, but maybe because there were no weather problems to overcome it turned into a difficult day of hiking.  Lots of aches and pains popped up and lots of need to rest.

Hills

Sheep leading the way

Rocky road

We ended up going over a pretty good sized hill fairly early.  At one point we were surrounded by a herd of sheep who lead the way. When we entered the urban area we seemed to go about 3/4 of the way around the airport.  Then it was a long slog thru and urban wasteland.  Miles and miles.  The signage wasn’t very good.  We got lost a couple times and had to ask for directions.

After hours, we finally arrived in the old town and everything was great.  We checked into a hostal on the 3rd floor of a very old building just off the main square.  Only 8 bunk beds and one mattress on the floor in an open room.  We both got a top bunk.

After a shower we went exploring.  Fabulous old town.  The city gate is magnificent, built in 1248.  Huge cathedral.  It had free tours on Tues at 4:30, so we did that. Then we went to see the palace where Christopher Columbus was received by the King and Queen after his 2nd voyage to America.

Burgos city gate

Burgos cathedral

We had drinks and tapas, then went back to the Cathedral for a 7pm mass.  It was held in one of the side chapels, but we’re not sure what we go in to.  The priest recited a line and the congregations said something back. And they did it again.  And again. And again.  We think it was the rosary.  After about 40 times with nothing changing we left.  We saw a friend the next day who said she went to the pilgrims mass at 7:30 were everyone was blessed.  Guess we were in the wrong chapel.

Then we walked to the top of the hill to the old fort overlooking the city.  It is now a city park.  Originally started on about 900, it served for centuries.  It was last used by the French during their occupation during the Napoleonic Wars.

Then more tapas and drinks, and home to bed.