When in Rome do what the Roman do, Burgos is well known for their Morcillas (blood sausages) and chorizos. So, I tried their blood sausage with a great Rioja wine.

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Today, we walked 17 miles on another cold windy day (34 F – about 28 with wind). The sun came out 3 times for a total of 15 minutes. We all appreciated those 15 minutes of a bit warmer. Life become very simple!!

At the start, we climb about 3.5 miles to a change in elevation of about 2000 feet without coffee. We found coffee 8 miles later.

Since Steve cannot run with the bulls, we tried to run with the cows.

Steven and I separated from the other 4. They went to another Village like 2 miles farther from where we are staying.

Burgos is just 8 miles from where are spending the night. Tomorrow, we will arrive to Burgos before 12, have lunch find an Albergue and go around town to do some sightseeing.

Buen camino

Before I start relating today’s journey, I would like to share my morning reflection.

By the time that I retired, I have traveled by airplane the equivalent of about 78 times around the world and stayed in many 5 and 6 starts hotels. A few days ago I said that El Camino eliminates vanity, increase humility and create a great sense of Thanksgiving. The experience on the place we stayed last night is a good example. It was a one start hotel and I was excited to have my private room with personal shower. The place is ran by Christian from Ecuador and Lourdes from Paraguay. They made us feel homely. We had a great breakfast that we requested, fry eggs and bacon. By the time we left the place, we all felt very thankful to have met them. Here they are with Steve and me.

Now, let’s talk about today’s journey. When I said that everyday was a new adventure at El Camino, today wasn’t an exception. We had snow fall during the night and the rolling hills along our way were covered with snow. Neither to say, the temperature all day was around 35 degrees with gust winds up to 30 miles/hr. I was using my poncho and at time I felt like a seal boat. I was wearing all the warm clothes that I had but the tip of my fingers were numb. I am sure that with the wind shield factor, the temperature was in the mid 20s.

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Buen camino

Today, it was another long walking day from the Rioja Region to Castilla de Leon Region.

The day started very foggy and then light rain for the 18.5 miles walk. After the fog cleared we were able to enjoy the beauty of the following hills.

The mountains in our path were packed with snow from the day before. As I write this post, it is snowing outside. Tomorrow is going to be another, cold and rainy day.

At the end of the day you look forward to have the pilgrim dinner with your walking group. Our group for the last 5 days have remained the same, an Australian couple, a Swiss, an English and Steve and I

Buen Camino

Anoche me tocó ser cocinero y les hice una tortilla española a mis amigos y la disfrutamos con tomates al aceite de oliva y 4 botellas de vino Rioja.

Hoy fue otro día de lluvia y frío (6 C). La neblina en la mañana fue muy intensa y no veíamos el paisaje. Cuando se aclaró el paisaje fue bellísimo con plantaciones de plantas que producen aceite rojo y cereales.

Caminamos 29.5 Km, otro largo día que cuando añades las condiciones climatológicas se siente mucho más largo. Es interesante como se adapta el cuerpo a las demandas del camino.

Al final del día la cena de peregrino es siempre un momento para compartir con el grupo que camina contigo. Mi grupo incluye una pareja australiana, un suizo, un Inglés y Steve de USA. Nuestra cena de peregrino de hoy incluía como plato principal paella de pollo con chorizo.

Buen camino

To my English speaking friends. On my post today, I forgot to mentioned that during the walk in this cold rainy day, the thing that I miss the most was an English pub with an open wood burning fire. To Sarah and Glynn, I missed the Pub at Sea Houses and the 5 horse shoes during a cold day, which

Este es mi noveno día como peregrino en el camino a Santiago. Hasta hoy, he caminado 250 Km de los 820 Km de la jornada.

Cada día, ha sido una prueba para mi cuerpo y hasta cierto punto mi espiritualidad.

Hoy fue un día más corto la caminata, solo 25 Km. Ayer hizo 37.6 Km, es increíble que pienso que 25 Km es un día fácil.

En estos 9 días, cada día trae una prueba diferente. Hoy, la prueba fue enfrentarse a una jornada de lluvia fría y vientos. La temperatura era 6 grados C, pero con el viento es cerca de 0 C.

Con estas condiciones, tienes tiempo para reflexionar y pensar en las cosas importantes de tu vida. Yo deje una vida de comodidades para hacer el camino y realmente hoy fue una prueba más.

Estos 9 días, te eliminan toda vanidad y te añade más humildad.

Every day in the last 9 walking day brings a different challenge, or I could say test!!

Today the walking wasn’t as long as yesterday, only 15.66 miles (It is amazing, anything below 29 miles now feels easier), however, we found misery in term of cold rain. The temperature was about 43 degrees, however, when you are wet, the wind feels like you are freezing.

In the local bar, we found a bottle of Venezuelan rum, so we order a shot the warm us up before drinking beer.

Today, we are staying at the Municipal Albergue in this small village as it is time for me to cook dinner for the group. Spanish tortilla and fresh tomatoes with olive oil.

One amazing bit today was finding a donut for our Australian friend Troy. He has been craving for a donut and as described the look of a donut to the lady at the supermarket she showed a sweet bread for the local baker personal batch, and guess what, there were two chocolate glazed donuts, just amazing!!

Walking nearly 16 miles today under a rainy cold conditions, you have a lot of time to reflect. These last 9 days are very telling for me, as you got to albergues, eating pilgrim menus, watching your clothes everyday, talking to the people that you meet along the way, there is a lot of baggage that you leave behind. Vanity start disappearing, humility start taking stronger hold and appreciation for your spirituality. The simplicity of things bring us together.

Buen Camino

I slept great last night. I had my own room. This is a big pleasure for a peregrino. It is amazing how what in the past you would have considered a small thing is a huge thing as a pilgrim.

Today, my Swiss friend, Steven and I walked almost 21 miles (37.6 Km). In the morning the weather was nasty by the afternoon was great. I was walking on short sleeves.

A few things happened today, first we entered the Rioja region of Spain. Do you know what that means? You probably know. I will be tasting a lot of great wine. Second observation is that we, humans, have a pasión for rocks. We stack them, we organize them in circles, etc. Look at this picture:

I saw vineyard and vineyard of Tempranillo, the grape for the Rioja wine.

To my friends from England, it is Rioja, repeat after me Rioja. There is not a K in the spelling.

Finally, I have to say that in my wildest dream I would have though that I could do 21 miles walking with my back pack in one go. If I translate that to golf, that is 4 rounds of golf walking.

Enjoy your day and Buen Camino