The Dawning of Holiday
The last couple of days have passed in a flash. So much so, that I have also begun to worry that my time here is already running out. The fact is, that I'm happy right now. I feel like my Camino has just begun. Perhaps it started just after my last blog entry in the freezing Monastery, when I was encouraged to have a beer at our second coffee break of the day. It was only 11 in the morning.
Over the past two weeks, I'd seen people drinking first thing in the morning and thought "how can they do that?!" But when I took a sip of that cold beer after nearly 4 hours of walking, I knew that this was right for me just then. Finally it dawned on me, that I was actually on holiday!
The only time I drink in the daytime is when I'm on holiday. So suddenly many things slotted into place. I realised that I had not, until that moment, thought of my Camino as a holiday. And yet, this is the longest time that I have ever (in over 20 years) allowed myself, to do something that doesn't involve playing the cello or work. I decided that I would add "being on holiday" to the list of possible reasons for my Camino.
After that we stopped in every tiny village and dillydallied our way into Burgos, our biggest town yet. The albergue didn't open until 4pm so we took our time and I "went on holiday", sampling a few local specialities of Patxaran, an aniseed based local liqueur served on ice.
We were a merry little team walking into Burgos. It was a 28km day, which was no mean feat, and I even managed "a stride on" walking through beautiful parkland towards the end, probably taking my average walking speed up by 50%!
Unfortunately on entering the city and hammering the pavements at some speed, I suddenly got a sharp and searing pain up my right shin. This brought my speed down to crawling pace, and the last kilometre was painful.
The albergue in Burgos was an utter delight though. It was incredibly clean, modern and well thought-out. Plugsockets and lamps by each comfortable bed. Good communal and washing facilities. I took the opportunity to wash everything that I'd brought! Even had to wait until my clothes came out of the dryer before I could go out for dinner!
Olaf and Marco were both leaving us in Burgos, so Olaf suggested we all went out for a final supper together. There were 16 people in total and there was much merriment around the table. Lovely speeches and even a ceremonial gift giving of useful and meaningful Camino travel items. It was actually quite emotional. Olaf then very generously picked up the whole tab for us all.
We were in bed by 9pm!
Su-a Lee
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