Pilgrims on the Way

We left our albergue before dawn. The dim streetlight made for blurry photos, particularly since I had to hustle to keep up with Francine, who was bound and determined to find us some breakfast. A tricky proposition, since nothing was open yet. Still, Burgos is a big city. Date: 13 April 2016 Place: Burgos (Castilla y León, Spain)

This is a lovely example of a Spanish street (alley, really) with steps. You will find these pre-automobile streets everywhere on the Camino where a town or city has a serious elevation gain. And since most medieval towns were built on or next to easily defensible hills, that’s a lot. Date: 12 April 2016 Place: Burgos (Castilla y León, Spain)

I confess that, what with all of the mazy, crooked streets and endless courtyards in the medieval center of Burgos, I may have gotten slightly lost in my exploring. Of course, with no clear destination to my wandering, I suppose I wasn’t technically lost. I’d just misplaced myself temporarily. In any case, once I spotted the Cathedral, I was found. […]

These statues are another feature of life in urban northern Spain. Some of them are quite delightful, others puzzling. I enjoy this elderly couple just relaxing on the plaza. I’m somewhat curious about the gentleman’s hat, as it seems more Basque than Castillian. Date: 12 April 2016 Place: Burgos (Castilla y León, Spain)

Like many medieval cities, Burgos is full of these lovely hidden courtyards, sometimes accessible only through covered archways. This one is by no means atypical, though I did find it particularly pretty. The streets are a bit of a labyrinth, particularly when the buildings are tall enough and close enough that you cannot orient yourself on the Cathedral. Date: 12 […]

This weird method of tree grafting may be seen throughout Castilla y León. Not sure why it’s so popular. One can only assume that these trees look better once their leaves come in. Date: 12 April 2016 Place: Burgos (Castilla y León, Spain)

Did I mention you can see the Cathedral everywhere? Well, you pretty much can. I’ll say this – despite the mazy winding of the medieval streets and the random, hidden courtyards, it’s extremely difficult to actually get lost in central Burgos. You can always find your way to the Cathedral. Date: 12 April 2016 Place: Burgos (Castilla y León, Spain)

After touring the Cathedral and having a bit of lunch, Francine rested in the albergue while I popped across the river to the Post Office. I mailed home a number of postcards and a box of accumulated souvenirs and “things I’m unlikely to use again on this Camino”. This beautiful bit of stained glass is on the ceiling. It’s amazing […]

El Cid was a medieval Spanish nobleman, military leader, and subject of song and story. His real name was Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, and he lived from about 1040 to 1099. He received his nickname from the Moors, probably from the original Arabic al-Sayyid meaning The Master (Doctor Who fans take note). The heroic and tragic songs and stories of […]