Day 12: Burgos

We started our morning in Atapuerca with breakfast. Jeff asked about the walk to Burgos, and well, I recommended we taxi to Burgos. The reality is the majority of today’s walk to Burgos, 2/3, is via the airport outskirts and industrial concrete areas which I’ve wanted to avoid. Added, I needed to see the doctor, and it was a short 20 minute taxi ride to our hotel, the AC Marriott Burgos, where we checked our bags for the day, and recommended to go to the nearest private hospital to see a doctor.

I had heard good things about the Spanish medical system and it did not disappoint. I was greeted in the emergency department with a professional who checked me in, I was seen by a medical doctor, went through a full exam, received three prescription medications and was out the door with a $200 bill within 90 minutes. A quick stop at a pharmacy, added another $18.

Burgos itself is a city of approximately 180,000 residents and home to the Cathedral known as El Cid, yes the same one as the movie. It is Jeff’s last day on the Camino and we explore as much of the city as possible in one day. We eat lunch, Including Chorizo and the famous Burgos Morcillo. Later that evening, we eat dinner, which started at 8:00pm and return to our hotel just as my brother in law Jimmy arrives, at 10:00pm. In retrospect, I will miss my friend Jeff, who taught me not to fear the barriers of culture and language on the road. Jeff and I met several people from all over the world in the last two weeks, all of us with a common, simple belief: Community.

Jeff reflected that everyone we met on the Camino seemed to have that common cause, looking for something more in a world that seems bent on destroying what we know. People were open to conversing and having relevant conversations. He felt the Camino spirit and common cause of community seekers. Many camino walkers from all over the world told us the same thing, “everyday we hear about Trump.” It was surprising to me but it also made me, as an American, not feel alone. Not getting political, but I think people are tired of the news. Please enjoy the pictures:

Burgos Cathedral, El Cid

The Cathedral is so big, I couldn’t get all of it in the picture

Half of the 12 Apostles

The other half of the Apostles

The area in the middle between the 12 Apostles

Jeff eating breakfast in a Burgos Cafe

Burgos promenade near its river

The Burgos gateway to the old part of the city near the Cathedral