Today we began our journey from Burgos toward Leon (beginning of stage 4). Stages are simply major cities along the Camino, and this is phase 2 of the walk. The phase 1 of the walk is about conquering and surviving the bodies aches and pain. After doing it for 2 weeks, the body is becoming resilient and strong (one hopes).

Phase 2 is the journey through the Meseta (open land, no shade, scorching sun). Even when you are traveling with others you are alone with your shadow and your thoughts. This is where your mind can become your partner or drive you crazy. Of course these phases are very individual yet at some point we must deal with these thoughts and issues. If you can silence the mind then you enter the third stage which is the spiritual phase.

Our goal was to go about 23km to Hornillos De Camino. We started early again and were out of our comfortable hotel room by 6:30.

It was about 5 km before we were out of Burgos and we began to see signs of rural life. Our first villages was about 11 km from Burgos.

We stopped for breakfast at Tardajos near a highway and also bought our sandwiches for lunch, as the next town was only 2 km away and then 10 km later our destination for the day would arrive.

Once we left this town, there was no shade or water the rest of the way. Just wide open blue sky and open fields that has a beauty of its own.

We just finished eating our dinner. Sitara took charge of the kitchen and we all chipped in.