Day 14, Thursday, September 5th, 2019: Cardeñuela Riopico to Burgos to Tardajos
We stuck around for breakfast at 7am, so got a little later start to the day. We wanted to arrive Burgos when shops were open so Terri could find a pair of leggings and another shirt. We also needed to pick up some basics like toothpaste, deodorant, and the like.
It was a few miles before we hit Villafria, a blue-collar suburb of Burgos. We stopped for coffee there and the 7 mile trek through the city to the Cathedral began. We found ATMs (there had been none for 3 days as only the bigger cities have banks and ATMs), and a few shops where we found the things we wanted to pick up.
The Cathedral was magnificent! It literally sprang into view and what a view it was. Next to the Cathedral was a chapel we entered and, as we were looking around, we ran into Geoff and Makayla from Australia! We hadn’t seen them in a couple of days and they were taking a rest day in Burgos. We had the chance for a photo together and then headed to tour the Cathedral.
If the outside was beautiful, the interior was a trip back in time. A time when the few bigger cities in Spain paid homage to the Christian faith with the grandeur and beauty of sculpture, artisan woodworking, masterful paintings, and expert architecture and stone work. We could have spent a day there listening to the history of all the different chapels, crypts, and chambers. Words cannot describe the beauty that is The Cathedral de Santa Maria XIIIc, a designated World Heritage Site.
Having already walked 10 miles by the time we headed for Tardajos, the final 6 miles were a challenge. I am so proud of Terri’s strength, courage, and guts to travel so far, full pack, every day. Her trepidation has disappeared and she faces every day’s challenges with determination and grit.
There are so many Camino Lessons to be learned from Terri’s approach to The Camino. The one that stands out for me is “if you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”
Of the many challenges we face in life, the first success is created in the mind. If you don’t believe you can surmount life’s many challenges, you cannot succeed. The mental toughness required to be successful is very much within each of us. Our self-talk can build us up or tear us down. Decide today to believe in yourself and your ability to overcome any challenge.
We arrived at the Albergue La Fabrica, run by George and his family. It is in a restored flour mill and was just perfect. We met Bob and Terri and Ryan from Fort Lauderdale and spent a wonderful evening together dining, sharing stories, and drinking way too much Rioja wine! Bob is a merchant marine Captain and former Army vet, so we had lots in common. Terri and Terri also chatted the night away. Their son, Ryan, at 22 is having a great Camino as well!
We stayed up way too late but wouldn’t have traded it for the world!
Lovely caricature painted on a wall leaving town!
Got confused for a moment…LOL!
First view of the magnificent Cathedral
Terri, me, Makayla, and Geoff!
Ryan, Terri, Terri, me, Kim, and Bob! Buen Provecho!
The grandeur of this Cathedral dead spectacular
The center arch was beautiful!
