I'M ON A BUS!
Yep, that's right, we took a bus from Santo Domingo to Burgos. Now, for anyone planning to walk the camino I would recommend you plan you trip for 38 days. Not 30 like we did. This will give you enough time to walk, have a rest day or two, and not be behind if you get the flu (like me). We knew we would have to take the bus to make up time because we didn't give ourselves enough time to begin with. So after a pretty terrible night in Santo Domingo it seemed perfectly placed to take the bus to Burgos and rest for the day.
There are some pilgrims who refuse to take a bus. I heard one guy say he'd rather pay $1,500 to change his flight than take a bus... He's gone too far to just "give up". Luckily Emily and I are of the same mindset, it's a pilgrimage, not a sporting event. If we were more knowledgeable beforehand we would've given ourselves more time, but we didn't, so now we'll take a bus if we need to. If I walk 475 miles instead of 500 is it going to ruin my experience? I doubt it. In the end, after walking for 30 days, it will make little difference.
Burgos is a beautiful city. The nicest big city we've seen so far. Unfortunately, all I saw of it was walking from the bus station to the albergue and then I was in bed the rest of the day.
The cathedral in Burgos is amazing (and packed with tourists)
The albergue didn't open till 2 so this is where we sat to wait. Pretty nice view :)
I went to bed as soon as we checked in and slept the rest of the day. I got up for Mass only because I really wanted to see the inside of the cathedral and also I had a plan... At Mass I told God we really need to walk tomorrow, not because of me, but because of Emily. After one short day and then the bus day along with me being in bed all day and her being on her own, I knew she was probably getting bored and ready to get a move on. She said "it's a pilgrimage, not a race"... But I have a feeling she had to keep telling herself that! So I asked God to make me well enough that we could walk the next day, at least a short distance. After Mass I got some soup, requested to be moved to a bottom bunk close to the bathroom, and went to bed.
I'm thankful for nice buses, Emily's patience, the Mass, and a rest day.
I'm learning I'm not as low-maintenance as I thought I was.
Quotes:
I have DAILY seasonal affective disorder. -Emily
I can't wait for Dumb and Dumber To to come out! -Emily (she's said this more than once)