September 28
Madrid
I have decided to take the train from Burgos and visit Madrid for a couple of days. Then I will return to Burgos and continue walking.
I have never visited this city – it is, of course, home to the Museo del Prado. According to Wikipedia “it is considered one of the greatest art museums in the world”.
It is an opportunity not to be missed!
The train was clean and swift as was the Metro. The Metro did not have any adverts. Not any on the platforms nor any in the carriages. It did seem very odd. What are you supposed to look at?
There is a huge square in the centre and cleverly someone had the idea of laying artificial grass so people can sit and lay on it. Brilliant. 
I was impressed by the ingenuity of opening a booth in the entrance to a church and selling not the state lottery tickets but some Christmas lottery tickets. It was doing a roaring trade
Night time and Street musicians 
A very odd statue
I don’t think this couple were talking to it…….
A couple of days ago I was staying in a very friendly Albergue in a tiny village. There was a storks nest on the church roof, the drying line for washing was out in the street. The food was excellent as was the company.
The last job in the morning routine is to retrieve your shoes from the rack, tighten the laces and set off into the still dark morning. Trouble was my shoes were not there. We looked all over and couldn’t find them. These were the new ones I had bought two days ago. They were clean and very comfortable.
In the end I shrugged my shoulders and put on my sandals and walked to Burgos in proper pilgrim footwear!
I rang up the Albergue this afternoon to see if they had found them. They hadn’t. But what they had been left with when everyone had left was a pair of worn out, broken shoes that just happened to be the same size as mine.
It wasn’t the kind of thing I expected to happen on the Camino. But as I keep on saying – every day brings new surprises on this journey!
I bought another pair of shoes in Burgos. Walking in sandals was easier than I had expected but my feet were very cold for the first morning hour.
Roger's Wanderings 
If you have a chance to see some decent flamenco in Madrid it’s well worth it. Vp and I also took a little side trip to Toledo which was great. Known for its Christians, Jews and Muslims living together in harmony for hundreds of years.
Thanks for the suggestions. I haven’t time for Toledo but I did the flamenco tonight. It was awesome. Thank you so much for the idea. I might even go back and see it again. x
Sounds like Madrid is a worthwhile side trip! And if a pair of new shoes is the only thing you’ve lost in your months of walking, you’ve done well. Now scuff up that new pair so they’re not so alluring.
I have also lost a penknife and a towel! I might have lost a few things but oh how much I have gained. I feel so rich with all my new experiences. You are right. I will scuff them up before I return to the Camino!
Your shoes will have helped someone else……and their guilt taken to their grave.
Of all the people that they could have taken shoes from I am probably the one where it would make the least difference. How did they know??
Good to hear from you.
I have just been to see some flamenco. Those guitar players are awesome. One of them was warming up on an Aria silent guitar before the performance.
Dear Roger,
Sorry to learn that a fellow pilgrim took your shoes.In 2006 when I walked my first camino there were accounts of pilgrims having their shoes stolen.
I have been following your blog for sometime
now.What a journey!I am sure you will not let this horrible event spoil all the great experiences which you have had.With warmest wishes.Buen Camino.A fellow pilgrim on the Camino del Norte.Christina Wilson
Hi Christina, it is no problem for me to buy some more shoes. It was very interesting walking in sandals. It challenges your preconceptions! When I was running I was moving towards the barefoot philosophy. No heavy boots for me.
It’s amazing to think a fellow pilgrim is following me. Will our paths cross? I’ll be in Santiago on 22nd
Nothing, just nothing could spoil anything I’ve experienced so far.
Ultreia.
Thanks for commenting.