Burgos and a camino miracle.....

In Burgos I had a wonderful pilgrim's dinner of soup, salad, a Spanish omelette and yogurt.  It was announced at dinner that a pilgrim blessing would be held at the convent.  I sat next to one of the Sisters.  She helped me follow along.  After the blessing she told me in Spanish  that I am not alone and I am traveling with a companion. Another camino miracle....

 Where I stayed

Whenever I am lost, I can look at this picture or follow the shells.

Why?

The question every pilgrim must answer.......                    

                   

                                  

 2 reasons why......

                  

A day of rest....

 After walking 15km (the farthest yet!) yesterday, I decided to take a day of rest in Santa Domingo.

A battle of the community drumlins broke out!  All ages participated.  They played in front of the judges at the town plaza.

The cathedral in Santa Domingo.  Notice St. James in the middle.  Buen Camino, peregrino.

While in Santo Domingo I stayed at a monastery run by nuns.  I was afraid to look sideways, Memories of Sr. Mary Aquin!  Haha!

No room at the inn.....

 I just saw a Japanese couple listening to John Denver on the Camino?

I trekked into Ventosa only to find no room at the inn!  It was getting late so I grabbed a taxi to Najera only to find the town booked for a four day festival (ugh!)!  Getting late so I grabbed a taxi to Azorfa.  Success!  Found an alberque for only 7 euro!  Only good thing is that I am further along to Santiago!  Hope to spend a day of rest in Santo Domingo del Calzada.  Only 360 miles to Santiago....
           

                                 apparently one must be blunt along the camino...

                                      

Cheese, hard salami and a Coca-cola light.....the dinner of champions.

You are never lost but sometimes you have to slow down.....

Along the Camino de Santiago, each town has a steeple.  They mark the center of town and serve as a landmark or destination point for pilgrims.  You are never lost along the Camino as long as you see a steeple. 

Today was an unusual day, my guidebook called for steep downward grades and with the rain recently that only meant  slippery mud and rock. So with safety in mind, I bused around the hazard into the large city of Logrono (145,000). After being in the rurals for so long the city just seem too busy.  So I walked out of the city 8 km to the town of Navarrette.  Found a beautiful cathedral and a room all of my own.  The Camino slows you down!

Water and wine....

Best day yet 9.7 km without aching feet.  I am in an alberque(hostel) in Villamayor de Monjardin.  The alberque is run by the local parish.  The landscape is out of the Sound of Music.  Rain tomorrow yuck!

Walked by a local winery where they had a wine fountain and water fountain? Water for me!  There was an old church right next to the fountain.  As it is said, your last mental defense against your next drink may come from a higher power!