I’m excited. A little panicked. Excited. But mostly excited.
I’m beginning Camino 3.0. on Easter Monday! I’ll be walking from Burgos to Leon, a distance of 112 Miles, or 181 Kilometers. I have mapped out about 12 days of walking plus getting to and from Madrid.
Why Burgos to Leon? When I walked in June of 2013, my ankle gave out shortly before Burgos. Then I bussed across the Meseta, staying in Fromista, Carrion de los Condes, and finally Leon. My good-bye photo was by the statue of the tired pilgrim at the San Marcos Parador in Leon.
When I went back on my second Camino in October of 2013, I started in Leon, at the same statue in front of the Parador, and walked to Santiago. It was a marvelous feeling to walk out of Leon. This time, I’m going to have the pleasure of walking into Leon.
That segment across the middle of Spain has been calling to me. With its wide open spaces, and big skies, it’s known as the third of the Camino for the mind. I’m sure it will be. Along with being for the mind, I see this trip as an Eastertide Retreat, a time to walk and meditate, and pray. And an opportunity to feel that mind/body/spirit alignment again as a Pilgrim.
Since the Meseta is very hot during the summer, walking it in the springtime sounded more and more appealing. It will be green and there should be wildflowers!
I’ll be flying into Madrid and taking a bus from the airport to Burgos, where I’ll spend the night. I’m taking a jet lag day in Burgos and then heading out on the Camino the next morning. Burgos is a beautiful city, and I am looking forward to seeing the Cathedral again, and heading out onto the Meseta!
In the meantime, I’m training! I’m working out with the trainer at the gym, and I’ve been walking around Lake Merritt in downtown Oakland with my full pack on, which is fun. I can make it around the 5.5 K lake in an hour with no blisters and minimal fatigue.
Halfway around the Lake today someone stopped me and said, “are you getting ready for the Camino?” Turns out she had walked it twice.
It was great to hear someone say, “Buen Camino!” again.
One Footestep at a Time 