First day walking… 🙂
I awoke early and a bit anxious to start my walk today, and after quietly gearing up in the dark so as not to bother my fellow pilgrims, I was able to sneak downstairs and have a small devotional before heading out at 5:45am…
I welled up with a sense of immense gratitude and wonder as I took those first pre dawn steps through the quiet streets of Burgos, carefully watching for the yellow arrows or shells painted or plastered on streets or building walls, “lighting my path” westward out of town.
The early morning hours where breezy and overcast, perfect morning for my entrance into the Meseta, the flattest and least verdent section of the camino.
***
As I walked along I asked God for understanding, asking Him to help me to hear His voice throughout the day, and as I walked through a park the trees we’re those kind that have upward facing blooms and pods directly under that hang towards the ground. This scripture came to mind…
“Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.” Psalm 85:11
As we bloom upwards in expectant faith, Christ fills us, and our blossoms bear fruit, that fruit proceeding from the blossom.
***
I continued to press on towards my mid-morning breakfast stop at Rabe de las Calzadas where I had a torta and coffee with Chomin, a Basque gentleman, recently retired, who is completing his 3rd month on the camino.
He mentioned to me that “the camino engancha” or “it pulls you in.” I can see that, and especially for folks who find themselves in a life transition, which happens to all of us, whether we expect it or not… many folks on the camino seem to be waking against an incumbent societal dependence on wealth and “security,” or at least so it seems.
After Rabe, the sun came out in full force, thankfully still with a cool breeze, and I traversed a meseta bathed in wheat and barley, almost ripe for harvest. I liked the texture and uniformity of the barley vs the wheat, but I can see where the two crops go hand in hand, due both to soil type and also for market diversification.
After descending the first meseta via the steep path called mátamulos, I felt the energy waning and had to press forward with deep breaths and intentionality, listening to my body, which had decided that Hornillos was my destination for the day.
As I arrived two hours before the municipal albergue opened, I was invited to have a beer with some good folks from Spain, Denmark, Hungary, and Brasil. Through the conversation I recalled that I’ve had the travel and culture bug ever since I left for Mexico City at age 18.
After spending time with them, we checked into the albergue, I hand washedy clothes, did a bit of work, and then took a much needed 3 hour siesta. 🙂
Day’s not over, but so far so good.