Camino de Santiago – Week 2
Los Arcos to Burgos
Week two was less eventful than week one. We have trekked about 165 km in the last week, about 290 km overall. We are over 1/3 of the way to Santiago. We spent about 3 days trekking across La Rioja, famous for its wines. Tuesday we crossed into the province of Castilla y León.
Our routine is now pretty predictable. We start trekking around 6:30 or 7:00 a.m. We typically walk about 20+ kilometres per day, closer to 30 if we are energetic. We walk about 6 or 7 hours, including coffee breaks and sightseeing. After settling into our albergue we shower and do our laundry. Afternoons and evenings are spent relaxing and chatting, usually over wine, with other pilgrims.
Burgos
We finished the week with a partial rest day. We trekked 15 kms to Burgos then spent the rest of the day enjoying the city. The outskirts of the city are unremarkable but the old city is spectacular. The Cathedral is breathtaking. There is a rabbit’s warren of lovely streets, alleys and plazas surrounding the Cathedral. We could easily have spent another day enjoying the riverside parks, sidewalk cafes and amazing architecture.
Sunday Mass
A highlight of the week was Sunday Mass in the village of Azofra. We stayed at the municipal albergue. In the afternoon we sat conversing with other pilgrims, including a fellow from Argentina, Jorge, and his niece Victoria. Jorge turned out to be a priest. The village church had no evening mass. Father Jorge intended to say mass for himself in an enclave beside the locked church. He invited us to join him. Five of us – including a Korean, a German and Victoria – attended the impromptu mass. Jorge is carrying his vestments and all the elements necessary for mass, including holy water, wine and wafers for communion along the entire Camino. The mass was in Spanish, but still very touching, and something you could only imagine happening on the Camino.
Accommodations
We are staying in a mix of accommodations. Sometimes we opt for the basic municipal albergues, others times we spoil ourselves by staying in more luxurious albergues or pensiones.
The Dream Continues!
I’ve so enjoyed reading of your adventures so far, yikes the first week seemed to be a challenge with all the rain and flooding! Sounds like a wonderful second week, a ‘heavenly’ experience indeed! You are blessed!
Glad to hear things have taken a turn for the better. Yes, Burgos is a lovely city. Wishing you lots more fun and special experiences!
my goodness we will make a catholic of you yet…you’ll be able to give Maria a few lessons on the subject. Loving the blog. and boy…you have a flair for writing my dear.
Please continue “Living the Dream” for blog’s sake.
You are both still smiling, so keep going. Meeting a priest & having a private mass…a very good Omen! Blessed Indeed!
I am enjoying reading your weekly blogs sounds like a wonderful adventure. An impromptu mass would be a highlight for me as well , what an experience!