I have not posted in a couple of days and that is due to a number of facts: A. wifi connections have been iffy. B. Tired at end of day. C. Not much to say – just walking and meeting many nice new folks. I have met some really interesting people in the last few days, young and old, from all over the world. Shared a meal and bottle of local wine with a 60ish year old man from Slovenia a couple nights ago and learned all about there resent history. It is amazing hoe faith, family and a strong community can get you through most anything – with a joy-filled spirit intact. After I heard about the trouble of the past all he talked about was the blessing of the present and future.
The Camino is traditionaly divided into three segment. As of yestarday I have completed the 1st and before I begin the 2nd or the Masada, I am taking a day off from walking and staying an extra night in the very busy and interesting city of Burgos. Burgos is full of pilgrims doing the same, all limping around enjoying not having a heavy pack on and the sites of this city that combines the modern, the old and the ancient together in that very typically Spanish way.
The two most notable things to see in Burgos is The Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Museum of Human Evaluation. Both fascination and worthy of my staying in town to visit.
My blisters are well under control but I have been having some significant pain in my right foot and it has been making going down hill very painful for the last few days. I thought I knew what was going on but had it looked at to confirm – I was right, I had broken the small toe on my right foot. Painful but not exactly life threatening. Ice and tape and tomorrow I will be good to go.
The Masada is a huge highland plateau representing some 40% of Spains land mass and known/feared/loved by centuries of pilgrims for its featureless landscape, hot sun, many colors and beautiful skis. This is the land that inspired “Don Quixote – The Man of La Mancha.” It is said to be a land that can both bore and inspire – I’ll let you know in a few day. Nice thing is the it is relatively flat which will help with the healing of my foot.
Here are some pics from the last few days:
Walking to St. James’sqlqew 
Glad the blisters are better. Sorry about your toe! Love the pictures
Glad to see a picture of you. We are all praying for you here in West Hartford!
Sue expressed my sentiments exactly: glad the blisters are better, sorry about your toe and love the pictures. The video of the sizzling shrimp wet my appetite. Does “Masada” mean something? What was the first section called?
First I misspelled it, it is Meseta. It comes from the the same root as mesa, meaning “table land” or from the newist addition of the Bob Hooper dictionary “hot as shit and boring as hell.” long hot day
Enjoying your pictures and posts. Fun to go along with you – minus the blisters.
Bob, love the great picture. Oh, no. Broken toes hurt, but hope it will be better tomorrow. Thanks for the pic of you. You look terrific! Keep up the great work. We’re praying for you and your health!
Bob, read a few of the earlier posts, and yep … it took me right back to last year and my own Camino. I’m trying to keep up with you, and finally, a year later, preparing to share photos and experiences with the Parish. Buen Camino!