Rest Day in Burgos

DAVE: Our thirteenth day was a rest day in Burgos.  

This day of rest is our first of three that are planned (the second rest day is scheduled for Leon; the third is not set but will be used as a weather/rest day when needed). jim and our Brazilian friend, Laercio, took an early bus to Bilbao to check out the Guggenheim museum.  The rest of the gang stayed in Burgos to sightsee.  I couldn't bring myself to waking up early for a 6:45am bus ride today, knowing that my next rest day is a week away.  Better to rest the legs since tomorrow is a thirty kilometer walk to Hontanas.  The following day after tomorrow is a 28 kilometer walk.  Two long days in a row.  

The morning was spent eating pastries and taking a tour of the stunningly beautiful cathedral.

Words cannot describe the beauty, history, and architecture.  I first visited the cathedral last year and couldn't wait to see it again. Pictures just can't seem to capture the magnificence of the cathedral, bur I tried anyways. 

This day is a bittersweet day in a way. For many pilgrims, Burgos is the first rest stop on the Camino.  Most of our friends we have met along the way are resting today, but for others, no rest day is planned. They plan on forging ahead on the trail today. Some will stay in different villages beyond Burgos.  It is with sadness that they move on since we all know we may not meet up again due to being "off cycle" with our schedules. Friendships develop and can be quite strong, but can be fleeting if personal contact information isn't exchanged to stay in touch in the future.  That's the way of the Camino.  You enjoy the frienships you make along the way for however long it lasts. Our "family" of friends is ever-changing.  I wish Wadi, Jerry, Paul, Gillian well if I don't see them again on the Camino. 

The afternoon was spent getting provisions from the supermercado, doing laundry,

catching up with the blog, and resting.  Tomorrow is a other day, and I am itching to get back on the trail. Buen Camino.