Day 13
Today I left Burgos spot on 7 and after hiking for 31+k I arrived in Hontanas as the church bell tolled 3. Today was spent mainly on the Meseta – which is miles and miles of wheat and hay fields and almost no shade. Rick walks are common because there are so many stones in the fields. I was prepared for lack of shade with a sun hat but didn’t need it until the last 5k as the skies were overcast and even sprinkled a bit of cool rain. The Meseta is a high plain and can play tricks on walkers who want to focus on an upcoming town. The sign before Hontanas said there was an albergue in half a kilometer. I walked on for another 200 meters or so and suddenly the ancient town appears in a pocket of the valley. First the church steeple and then the entire town.
Before the Meseta there were open fields of hay and first the first time copious amounts of Queen Anne’s lace. There may be another dose of Benadryl in my near future – tough, overall, the wildflowers haven’t generally bothered me.
In one of the low fields near a river eight or more storks foraged for food. The field did not appear to have been plowed this season so whatever critters there were had been undisturbed for a season. I’m guessing little frogs and lizards but who knows what’s of interest to young parenting storks.
Along the way I came across the most welcoming sight. A little chapel had its doors open and monastic choir music played. When I entered the church a little nun was in the corner, available to stamp credentials, offer free prayer cards, pray with whomever agreed to it, and offer hugs. Her simple charity was so very welcome by myself and all the pilgrims that I talked with about it later.
And in the town of Hontanas, the church doors were open and there was someone available to provide stamps. There was also the most welcome little contemplation corner with some copies of icons, a place to light a candle and leave it in sand, a bench with pillows, blankets to borrow if chilly, and a collection of Bibles in about a dozen languages. So welcoming. I sat for a bit and prayed and lit a candle for a special intention.
It’s good to be here. Community pilgrim dinner tonight. The conversation is always interesting. We make allowances where there’s gaps in languages. Then an early night.
More later…
Hi Marilyn, Great to read your posts and hear all of your news. You are so brave doing this! You must be shedding lots of kilos too? Stay safe. God Bless Anne xx
What a wonderful experience! Beautiful pictures. I look forward to reading your next blog post every day. It’s like reading an excellent book just a page a day. I really want to do this, and I have four friends who also want to. We will use your experiences to plan and prepare. Can’t wait to see what’s next!