Non-Walking Day:
26 Kilometers
0 steps

In yesterday’s comments, I expressed concern about my feet. I am very concerned about my feet – they hurt when I walk. I spent more time than is recommended breaking in my hiking boots. Walking up hills, down hills, on the flat, everything. I had no problems with my feet throughout the breakin period. On the first day of the Camino from Saint Jean Pied de Port over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles, I developed a rather serious blister on the back of my left heel. So I switched to walking in my Keen sandals. But those have a sole that is too flexible, and my feet are getting beat up. I like my feet…I use them every day…I do not want to permanently damage my feet. At my lowest point last night, I was questioning my ability to continue. So I got the name of a hospital in Burgos, a large city of population 200,000, and then shared a taxi with two other pilgrims from San Juan de Ortega to Burgos this morning. They were taking a day off to see the Cathedral, and I was dropped at the hospital. My goal was to have my feet evaluated and then make decisions.

There was a bit of a wait, and when the doctor saw me, he and the two assistants told me that the blister area was healing all right, and I should not walk in the Keen sandals because of the flexible sole. This was a slow process, as they do not speak much English, but with hand motions and some English, I got the message.

I then took a taxi to my hotel, knowing that it was too early to check in, and asked them if there was a good shop nearby where I could get shoes for walking the Camino de Santiago. They gave me directions, and I went there. The people there really know shoes — I found them similar to REI back home. After trying a few pair, I settled on a pair of shoes with fairly stiff Vibram soles by North Face, a U.S. brand we all know for hiking & outdoor gear. So I walked a little in the new shoes – they do not hurt the blister area, and while the other parts of my feet are still sore, my foot feels much better supported. This will work. I am very encouraged.

I decided that today will be a rest day. With most of the day ahead, I found a place to get my hair cut, and it is short! Wow! There will be pictures soon…it is short!

I walked a bit in the new shoes to get a feel for them to the cathedral. I had a rest day in Burgos last year, and spent over 6 hours in the cathedral and took 96 pictures. The intent was to select a few and post them, but I never got to it. I’ll get to the Cathedral in a few minutes.

This is a plaque on a building just 40 meters from my hotel. My understanding is that this is where the king and queen of Spain received Christopher Columbus in 1497 after his journey to the new world. Here is another picture of the building:

It is difficult to get a good view of the building because of the trees in the front. It is a cool old bulding…there is no shortage of cool old buildings in Spain (actually all of Europe).

The Cathedral. It is huge. I do not have time to look it up now, but it was built starting in 1525 I recall, and took over 200 years to construct and add on, and on…

The main entrance. It is really big.

The old doors inside that used to be the main doors. These are no longer used. The wood is rich and dark and beautiful (muy bonita).

One of many salons for a saint. There are many, many salons, and all are worthy of a half hour or more studying the detail. One could spend many days here really studying everything.

One of many long hallways. This is a very large structure. The engineering alone is impressive.

Another salon/worship area. Every detail is meticulous and meaningful. The craftsmanship is as impressive as the engineering.

Another set of doors now unused that are quite beautiful.

Another beautifully engineered and crafted hallway, eventually leading out of the Cathedral. This Cathedral is overwhelming…beautiful, impressive, and overwhelming.

Tomorrow I try out the new shoes and see how my feet fare on a shorter day of 21 kilometers from Burgos to Hormillos del Camino.