It’s a sad day. I’m leaving my fellow peregrinos to return home to my everyday life. I’ve been when these people for two whole weeks. We’ve shared many stories, many experiences, laughs and cries. I walked into the most beautiful cathedrals I’ve ever seen. I will never forget my peregrino family. I would like to stay in touch with all of them. I would like to visit all of them, from Julia in Moscow to Alexander in San Paulo.
I took many pictures today, but because of the tin can and string that makes up Spain’s interwebs, I only have a couple to post now. I’ll definitely add more later.
It was such an emotional day. Since we stayed in essentially a barn, it was freezing when we left. No food, no morning chat. There was snow in the mountain we had to cross. The morning was brisk, but I still wore a t-shirt in the 33 degree weather. It was a short trip over the mountain and around the airport to Burgos. Unfortunately, there was alot of street and cement walking. I hate that. From now on, I’ll always be cognizant of the surface I’m walking on. Walking through the last few fields was tough. I teared up a few times. Behind me were Julia and Ximena.
The running joke of the trip has been “Where is Dominic?” Truth is, I’m just a bit faster than the rest and in front of them. But they asked me to walk with them for a while and I did. We jammed to Eminem as we walked through the villages and fields. As you’ve read, I’ve walked with many people in this trip and everybody is different. The experiences are random and meaningful each time. Two of my most poignant walks have been with Julia and Ximena. That made this morning extra tough. It was a perfect morning and it got to me.
After that, I met up with Eric and we walked into Burgos. We were two hours early, so we had some olives, beer and tea. Soon, the rest of our group started to trickle in until both Alexes we playing Despacito on the bar’s bongos and guitar. It was a pretty magical moment.
We visited the cathedral in Burgos. It was the largest and most magnificent I’ve ever been in. It is over 800 years old and in perfect condition. There are many chapels that make up the main space. Some of these chapels are as big as churches I’ve been in. There was wood work, carving, painting, and gilding everywhere. It must have taken years to complete some of the pieces in this church.
After, we went to the pilgrim mass in the Christo de Burgos chapel, so named for the crucifix that hangs there. Jesus on the cross was as lifelike as I’ve ever seen. He has real hair, a beard, and some say either human or cow skin. More info. It was a dark and wonderful service. I went with Val, Ximena, and Alexander. It was another tearful service for all of us.
After the mass, we followed the priest (with other old Spanish women from the celebration) to the robing room. Inside he gave each of us a blessing. It was a touching moment.
When we left church, we headed to a bar to get some food and then to the alergue for some rest. Alexander and I left the next morning on trains. He to Barcelona to head back to Brazil, and I to Pau, France to fly back to Detroit.
This was the conclusion of one of the best experiences of my life.
