Burgos is a beautiful city and it’s definitely worth the time to visit. The Cathedral is set up as not only a church but also a museum, done exceptionally well.
Burgos was also memorable because of Alex, a young German Police Officer from Berlin. We met Alex while doing laundry, well the machine was doing laundry, we were having drinks outside. Alex looked broken in every sense of the word, physically, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically.
I asked Alex if he was a Pilgrim and he said that he was. He was looking for a grocery store and the laundry, which he was standing in front of. To his credit, it was a door that opened into a larger room. We asked if he wanted to join us but, he said no but, he did not leave and, he continued to talk.
Alex was on a medical leave, I suspect for PTSD or something like it. His therapist had encouraged him to walk the Camino to clear his mind and reflect on his future. Alex was very frank and did not seem to hold anything back. We talked for close to an hour, Renee was very maternal, she told him “Mama says” this or that, Alex smiled and chuckled. We told Alex we’d be in the Plaza Mayor later and we’d like him to join us.
Later that night, Alex did join us and he we talked and exchanged stories. Alex was pushing very hard, 30, 35 and even 40 km a day, almost as if he wanted to be done or, he was punishing himself. Renee reminded him that it was a pilgrimage not a martyrdom. I think that caught his attention. Alex was sore and had blisters from ill fitting boots, he was looking for different shoes. He needed that but, he also needed to be more kind to himself.
We went to bed that night thinking about Alex, fearful that he would not heed our advice and hopeful that we’d see him again.
In an earlier post, I commented about the number of people looking for a better way, a new career, recovery from a bad relationship or maybe God. I think Alex learned that a good place to start is with his fellow Pilgrims.
We leave tomorrow, headed for Hornillos del Camino. We’re beginning the Meseta, the flat lands that will last about a week. It’s said that this part of the Camino is about the mind, lots of time to think with few distractions.
