Camino de Santiago Day 14: Atapuerca to Burgos

The four of us left early from Atapuerca - I mean really early! I was dying to get on the trail and leave behind the memories of laying awake, being jostled in my bunk by my wriggling friend above and hearing hours tick by in my head.

By 6:20 AM we had donned or warmest gear and headlamps, then headed straight up the stony trail. It was almost 2 hours and 6km later  (considered a very slow pace for us!) before we crested the top of this hill and caught a glimpse of Burgos in the distance, under the fog below.

I was cold.  My feet,  body and head were fine but my hands felt the sting of 3°C. The light gloves I packed were useful, but not enough to stay warm. Having wee pads on the fingers meant I could swipe on my phone/camera without taking them off, which was appreciated. I ended up stowing my hiking poles on my pack and when not taking pictures, the hands found a home in my pockets.  It worked well. .. aided by a coffee break. There's nothing as effective as wrapping your hands astounds a steaming mug - even if they are tiny little mugs here!  

We took an alternative route into Burgos. Leaving the traditional Camino, nipping behind the airport, following the river into the city.  In the distance the smog associated with the industrial area (traditional Camino route) hung low and brown. 

Entering the city along the river is unbelievably pleasant.  Literally feeling like a walk in the park, rather than the end of another 22km, before lunch. No sore legs or feet here. I was feeling super impressed with myself and my physical performance on so little sleep.

Burgos is gorgeous. For several days now I had been lamenting the end of my Camino and trying to figure out what I could do to keep waddling another day or two.  Then Burgos happened. 

From the minute I clasped eyes on the city, I knew this was it.  The end of the hiking part off my journey was here.  I strongly felt the need to stop, explore, drink in the culture, the color, the energy. It was a bitter sweet realization as I have grown very fond of my companions and parting ways was going to be painful.  Tony, Sue and Chuck had become a part of every day... Every coffee, joke, tired muscle and tortured Spanish syllable. In less than 2 weeks they had embedded themselves in my life and memories, forever. Our last day was a mix of peregrino menus,  photography and walking together... much like all the other days.