Day 19: Burgos to Hornillos Del Camino | Camino Frances | Camino De Santiago | May-July 2022

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#caminodesantiago
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June 11, 2022
"When wind blows some make walls, others windmills"
Camino De Santiago Day 19: Burgos to Hornillos del Camino
20 km (12.427 miles)
We have entered the meseta! If it were not for the wind and a tree oasis in the middle of nowhere, today would have been really stifling hot.
We left Burgos as the sun was rising once again trying to "beat the heat". Burgos has pilgrim sculptures in various sections of the path that we found really helpful since let's just say we almost got lost more than once walking out of town.
We enjoyed first breakfast in the small village of Tardajos. They had a film festival occurring for the next few days in honor of someone in the village connected to the film industry. They planned a large celebration that evening with everyone gathering in the town square and enjoying paella. Unfortunately, we needed to keep going so we would be missing it.
Our second breakfast was consumed in the very charming village of Rabe De Las Calzadas. Our stop at Hostal Fuente was so enjoyable and the host was incredibly friendly. He showed us his wall of dollars and pointed out the Colorado section.
As we were leaving the town, we saw in the distance a small church that had it's door open. When we approached, two nuns welcomed us in and stamped our pilgrim passports. One took my arm and began saying a prayer to me in Spanish. I did not understand most of it but I believe it was a protection prayer. It made me a bit teary eyed as it felt so genuine. She then placed a necklace on me and did the same for Andre.
I realized shortly after that we were entering the meseta, hence needing protection.
The landscape dramatically changed. It almost felt like we were on a different planet. And the temperature dramatically increased. With little shade, it was a bit intimidating.
After some miles, we could see a tree oasis in the middle of nowhere. I almost wondered if it was a mirage. It had a very welcome water fountain and an abundance of trees with benches. Here we met Roger from Colorado who lives less than 20 miles from us. Small world!!
With the skies changing and the wind picking up, we knew it was time to move as thunderstorms were in the forecast. The cloud cover and wind were so appreciated, I felt myself wanting to dance in it. My feet did not agree. (I'm beginning to think my feet have their own soul and are pretty upset with me.)
The last mile or so into Hornillos del Camino consisted of a steep decline with a view of our destination in the horizon. At the entrance of town, a group of young pilgrims from various countries that we've met along the way were sitting at various tables, already showered and enjoying beverages. Amongst them, we ran into Dani from Rochester again.
Our hostel checked us in quickly, we showered and did laundry, and then went on the hunt for beverages and snacks as dinner was provided by the hostel but not until 7 pm. We realized how hungry we were and needed something to sustain us ASAP.
We gathered snacks at the mini super mercado and then found a little bar cafe where we were joined by other pilgrims who also could not wait until dinner time. We shared a small pizza and laughs before heading back to our hostel for more food: Paella. Yummy.
I was seated next to a young pilgrim from Lithuania and we were under a large window with direct sunlight. The heat of the room, hot paella, and heat of the day finally caught up with me. I just started sweating. Profusely. And continued so much so that I had to leave the table, nervously giggling the whole way back to our room. With the key in my hand, I attempted several times to open the door. These door locks in Spain are so confusing.
So eventually I gave up, sat on the floor by our room, and waited for Andre to finish his meal and join me. I was really wishing for a fan, air conditioning, even a windmill at this point.
When Andre arrived we laughed together at the sight of me, he was able to open the door after several failed attempts, and we giggled ourselves to sleep.
Tomorrow calls for more thunderstorms on the meseta which sounds thrilling to me if they consist of more wind and less heat. Bring on the breeze!
A veces en el viento del cambio encontramos nuestra verdadera dirección.

[@susanlindholm3574]

Loved this one.. the music too! Thanks Andrea for taking us with you this way!!

[@touchdown_travel]

👍👍🙌🙌

[@reed0199]

At 3:41 - The Famous - King/Gandhi/Einstein Mural. Viewed by Millions of Pilgrims. Buen Camino !!!

[@markc8401]

Ahhh the meseta - reminded me of Saskatchewan in Canada - endless nothingness. With the encroaching heatwave, no shade, and virtually the same thing day after day until Leon, I was not a fan of this section of the Camino.

[@wedofly1998]

I really liked the meseta, but NOT the upcoming heat wave!! 🔥

[@Lacteagalaxia]

La meseta española or spanish plateau is a geographical accidente unique in europe except european russia ; by size occupied the 80% of the country
and that would fit inside Italy and portugal togheter