Day 14 - Burgos to Hornillos de Camino (in reverse) - 13 miles

As I mentioned yesterday, my walk today was supposed to be Burgos to Hornillos. They didn't have accommodation in Hornillos, so I would get a taxi back to Burgos to the same hotel. However, I decided to get a taxi this morning to Hornillos and hike backwards. I had no idea how difficult it might be to get a taxi in Hornillos or how long I might have to wait for one, so this idea seemed better. The taxi ride only took about 25 minutes via the highway.

I learned two lessons today. Lesson #1 - signage going the opposite way is terrible. I basically had to keep looking backwards at the signs and arrows for the people coming towards me. I got off course a few times and would not see any signs and had to turn around. That only occurred when I didn't see pilgrims walking towards me. In one town, the road split. I must have taken the wrong side down to the right. I walked down a trail for quite a while, and this group of older ladies walked by looking at me and saying something (probably like "What is she doing on this road?"). So I look to my left and way in the distance I see that there are pilgrims hiking far off. Since there was a creek separating us, I had to go back the way I came and get to the correct road. That happened a few times today probably adding an additional mile and a half to my walk.

Lesson #2. if you don't want to explain to all your trail buddies (or about every 5th person you pass) why you are hiking the "wrong direction," don't hike in this manner. I didn't realize I would see so many people I recognized or recognized me. They were all saying "Is something wrong? Do you know Santiago is the other way? Did you forget something in Burgos?" It got kind of comical actually.

Sunrise in the Meseta

So I started in the beautiful Meseta and ended back in the city again. I know some people feel the Meseta is boring - just miles and miles of rolling wheat fields with no trees and no shade (which some even skip entirely), but I much prefer that to the city. We will have the next 7 days in the Meseta, and I am looking forward to the peace of those fields.

The photo of the mural in the town of Rabe de las Calzadas was really interesting, but unfortunately, I cut off Martin Luther King at the end of the mural.

I saw a couple yesterday that I've seen on the trail or in towns most days, and they are biking the Meseta instead. I realize talking to people that everyone will have a little different schedule and experience on the Camino. Some take lots of rest/sightseeing days throughout, some take side trips, some combine biking and walking, and some just hike through. I have marveled at a paraplegic gentleman that is doing the Camino from a recumbent bike while his friends walk with him. They have a company that brings his wheelchair bike in a van each morning and then waits for them at stages throughout. Then they trade out his regular wheelchair at the end of his day while he is in town. Quite an impressive man!

Doggie Happiness!

This photo is just because it made me smile. Just as I made my way to the Universidad de Burgos, there was a fountain. This woman brought her very tired mastiff to take a little break and get a drink out of the fountain! She was splashing him with the water, and he was so happy!!! A great end to the walk today.

After siesta time, I went the the Museo de Human Evolución. There is an archeological site we passed coming to Burgos called Atapuerca (a UNESCO world heritage site). The oldest human remains in Europe were discovered here! The museum takes you through the excavation, houses the remains and has 3 other floors of the evolution of man and animals. It was quite a good museum. The website is museoevolucionhumana.com.

Well tomorrow I continue my walk starting in Hornillos - so back in the morning taxi to hike WITH the crowd!