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No Mas!

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I finally reached Burgos. Despite my pleas for no fuss the cathedral was full. I carried my broken body towards the alter, crutch in one hand and harness dragging my rucksack. It was a pitiful sight. Some sobbing was heard towards the back.  A beautiful young woman tried to help me but her mother pulled  her back. “This is his journey, he must finish it on his own”. Then the Archbishop of Burgos started to speak, saying that he was humbled by my humbleness and inspired by my inspiration and other such statements. I rose slowly to my feet. This is what I said:  “Hello Seoul” speaking in Korean. Then, in both Latin and Spanish, I said (channeling my 1978 child) “Young people of Spain, I love youse”. Well, the crowd erupted. After the applause had died down, I repeated the learnings from the ‘Suffering in Silence’ and ‘Sins of Others’ Caminos and then I said, quoting the great Roberto Duran, “No Mas”.  And then I left the church, accompanied by the beautiful young woman...
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Railway signs

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The last 12.5 kms to Burgos are along an old railway track called the Camino Verde. A bit of a slog to be honest although some of the legacy signage aimed at the train drivers of old was quite interesting.Those of you of an older vintage might recall similar signs in Ireland. 
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El Cid

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Reading about Charlton Heston ( who starred in the original movie in 1961 with Sophia Loren) turns out he was an early advocate for the Gun Control Act of 1968 in the US. And was in fact a registered Democrat before doing a complete u-turn and ending up as a five term NRA president. He hated political correctness as well. Here’s a picture of him with Sophie Loren in El Cid. 
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Week 3

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6 days to go. How time flies when you are toiling in the sun. Accommodation options getting quite scarce now but haven’t had to sleep rough yet. A few near misses mind.  Crossed into Castillo Y León today at 1340 Metres. What a view. Now I’m waiting for 9pm to eat so kinda starving - one bacon and cheese sandwich plus a tin of sardines was my fare today. Not even one beer, there is nothing here. I know, gripping stuff. It will all be over soon. I hear they are preparing the Cathedral in Burgos for my arrival. If I make it. I intend to speak in tongues. 
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Choices choices

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Tonight (17/4) I’m in the medieval town of Siguenza which happens to have a Parador (these exclusive government owned hotels). So I thought I might stay, then I checked the prices. €180 for the night. My next option was a room in the local monastery for €15. I’m sure you can guess which way I went. (Btw in medieval towns one is allowed call women ‘wench’ or ‘wenches’ and not be beaten up. I’m loving the freedom.) 
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House Murals

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Rather than have a blank wall the locals will often paint a house scene, not bad…Two different villages 300 kms apart. C
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A familiar sight

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Non alcohol Mahou Tostada 0.0 plus the inevitable roll for the walk next day. That beer is really nice must say, especially on tap. I’d say half the punters are drinking zero alcohol beers over here, it’s very common. 
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