I walked from Burgos to Hontanas for a total of 31.8km. My new longest stretch. Last night was the main festival in Burgos of San Pedro y Pablo. It may have been the first time in my life that I didn't make an effort to see fireworks. I had always loved them when I was young, although these ones seemed to go on late into the night till around 2am. It's not exactly ideal for the tired pilgrim lifestyle, but who am I to criticize a reason for a party?
It was so interesting to see the Spanish town folk in traditional period clothing for both children and adults, and to see musicians parade through the streets of the old town. The Burgos Cathedral, a World Heritage site whose first stone was laid in 1221, was absolutely breath taking. I never really imagined myself to be amongst such magnificent gothic architecture or to see the tomb of El Cid.
Although the trek to Hontanas was long, a cool breeze carried on throughout the day, and made it considerably easy and even beautiful. I entered the Meseta, which has been described as having lonely vast plains of endless crop fields, with little water or shade. Despite this description, I thought the first day was beautiful. The sun shined on the crops turning them gold and the strong winds danced through the fields making them appear like ocean waves. (Pictures to be posted when I have a better computer!)
Coming from the city life, I had never seen anything like it. They say that with the conditions during the walk through the Meseta, it becomes a period when pilgrims really start to look into themselves and contemplate deeply about life. I'm just happy that my initial Meseta thoughts were happy beautiful ones.
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