Mochillas to Hontanas

September 11, Wednesday

After we figured out that we needed to leave the Burgos albergue via the fire escape because the front door was locked until 6:30, our 5:30 AM walk through Burgos was pleasant.  We walked through the quiet streets and it took nearly an hour to reach the path through a natural area outside the city.

We are accustomed to walking a couple of hours and finding a cafe for breakfast and had to walk almost 7 miles until we arrived in Tarjados at about 8:00.  Until then, we had seen only one other pilgrim.  It was like we had the whole Camino to ourselves.

We've carried our packs the last few days and unfortunately the weight sitting on my hips aggravated my sciatia (sp?) nerve and I felt pain all the way down my leg to my foot.  Diana was also feeling the weight on her poor blistered feet.

Over coffee we conferred and thought we'd check the albergue in Tarjados to see if they could help.  We inquired about the albergue and it was closed until 4 PM.  We were not interested in hanging around this town all day.  We asked if there was a way for us to send our mochillas (backpacks) on to a new destination.  We have dubbed the woman in the coffee shop "a Camino Angel"  she called the baggage transport company and arranged for them to pick the mochillas from her shop and deliver them to the alburgue in Hontanas.  We repacked and took food for lunch and the rest of the day we could walk unencumbered. What a blessing!

We started walking through the Meseta, the beginning of the long open plains where although there are names of places on the map, they really aren't little towns.  It is miles and miles of wheat and grain fields, some sunflowers, windmills and wide-open breath-taking views.

The day was perfect walking weather - a little windy, partly sunny and cool enough for a light jacket.  It was by no means a sweaty day.

On the way to Hornillos del Camino, we were overtaken by two German and two Aussie  friends and had a lovely walk with them into Hornillos where we had another break and something to eat.  All in all it was a 20 mile day.  

We arrived at Hontanas and barely saw the town - it never showed up on the horizon because it is nestled in a ravine with only the church steeple showing as we got closer.

                                    

    

A clean welcome committee of friends greeted us as we arrived and we went to pick up our bags and claim beds.  Oops - no nice maroon backpack with my name on it!  All I wanted was a shower and clean clothes.  Lilia from the albergue helped check the other albergues and we called the luggage service - yes, he had mine and it would be here in 10 minutes.

We spent a pleasant afternoon visiting with people, sitting in the sun to stay warm and planning tomorrow - not such a long walk as today!

My angel card today was 'joy' and I have to confess that giving up the backpack gave me joy - the pressure was off my hip and nerve - I was almost leaping for joy!  I also found myself soaking in all the beauty around me, the wildflowers that seem to be all over - changing as we walk, the clouds, the sounds of the trees rustling in the wind.  It is all joyful.  I feel so blessed and happy that I have this opportunity to take everything around me in.  I talked with a few people who are weighed down with problems, trying to let go of betrayals, making sense of death.  I am feeling joyfully free and want to carry this into all areas of my life.