Day 13: Burgos to Hontanas (Deija)

Day 13: Burgos to Hontanas
19 Miles
Total: 197.4 miles



Today started off pretty well, other than the fact that we pretty much ditched Bree in the town we slept in, we were off to a great start. The walk was plain, yet beautiful, today was the beginning of a dry patch that is supposed to last until we reach Leon, however long that may take. There were butterflies everywhere along the path, and Auna and I took many pictures... At one point we were even on our knees on the path trying to aid one of the distressed insects. The sea of wheat surrounding us was amazing, especially when one red flower would sit on its lonesome in the middle of the field. 

I was angered at one point because throughout all this beauty, we had yet to see something ruin it so effortlessly. As we walked up a hill, one, a single, plastic bag was picked up off the ground and flew over our heads, covering our view for just a split second, but changing our perspective on things a bit. How could one plastic bag destroy so much? One plastic bag in the middle of nature, we are nowhere near WalMarts, malls, towns larger than 100 people, and yet, this disgusting sign of human life is there, literally flying over our heads. 

Off topic, sorry... 

So, Bree's right leg has been bugging her, so she was slower today, and we all decided that we would go at our normal paces and just wait for her in the next town. This part of the plan fell through, Auna and I went ahead, stopping and waiting in the next town for about 15 minutes, but no one ever showed, we then continued on to the next one, waited about a half an hour, continued, then stopped and had what one would call brunch. After waiting a while, using the bathroom, and filling up our bottles, we continued. We arrived at or destination (Hontanas) at around 1:15, and sat in a small picnic area to pass the time until Mr. March and Bree arrived. However, Mr. March appeared fifteen minutes later alone, Bree was in the previous town, and it wasn't a very long walk to Hontanas from there, she was resting. We checked into our Albergue, got settled and Auna and I went back up to the picnic area which had a view to entrance of the city.

We saw Bree coming and went to meet her, getting checked into the Alburgue as well, and then Auna, Bree and I went swimming! Some kids younger than us came up to us in our room and told us to follow them to the swimming pool, Auna did, and she brought back good news of cleanliness, cheapness, and ice-cream. I was a little hesitant at first but after a little persuading, Auna, Bree, and I were on our way to enjoy some sun that didn't involve walking nineteen miles.

The pool was great, I ended up falling asleep in a floating raft and getting sunburnt slightly on the backs of my calves, not too bad thankfully. But if that is the worst that happens on this trip I will be a very happy sixteen year old. 

When we returned from our swim, Auna and I made what we ended up calling grilled cheese sandwiches, but was really microwaved ham and cheese sandwiches. We ordered two freshly squeezed orange juices from the cafe, and sat and drank whilst being in the sun. It was very nice. Later on that evening a man brought out his guitar and started playing American songs, even though he spoke no English. He could pick up a tune quite quickly and soon became a favorite in the group of forty or so that were gathered around. When the man didn't know the words to the song he would just hum or mumble, and it was hilarious to watch a man, who doesn't speak the language, mumble on words and slur them together to make the tune go on. It was really awesome, and at one point we went around in a circle and sang a song from our own country. Swedish, American, Spanish, Italian, Mexican, Belgian, French, and even a Dutch song were sang, and it was extremely amusing. After the song, and some dance, most of us went to bed, we all need our beauty sleep for tomorrow! It's going to be another long day.

-Deija