Love at Spain's Iron Cross

31 - Knight and Day

31

Knight and Day

Tuesday, June 15

Makena woke up and didn't feel her feet, but that was good.

They don't hurt at all!

She inspected them and smiled. She got dressed, went to the albergue's restaurant, grabbed a cafe con leche, and sat with the twins.

"How are you two doing?"

"We were just talking about that," said Delta. "Our blisters have become calluses, like during the soccer season. By tomorrow, we'll be ready for major hiking once again."

Bayou agreed. "It would have been better if it hadn't rained so much and we had developed tougher skin without the blisters first, but the bottom line is that we're ready."

Makena said, "In the movie, only Javier would have suffered blisters. Penelope, in her high heels, would have trekked through rain, mud, blizzards, and scorching sun without issues or complaints." All three smiled.

"Well, one more day of sandals, visit a couple of museums, and we pack," said Delta.

"It feels good to relax," said Bayou. "But it will be better to get back moving again on the Camino."

Makena agreed. "And even though we haven't done much here, I'm still hungry. How about another coffee and omelet?" All agreed. They finished their leisurely go-to meal, feeling optimistic.

*****

They left to arrive at the Museo de Burgos around ten when it opened. This was the city's art museum, its collection housed in a former palace built in the sixteenth century. They were surrounded by dozens of Roman-style pillars. The place was huge.

"Someone had serious money to build this," said Makena.

"It was from our LeBlanc ancestors," answered Bayou. "They had homes in France, Spain, and Italy. Delta and I personally donated this to the city of Burgos, expressing our generosity."

"You can always share your extra cash with me instead!" said Makena.

There was an area with ancient pottery, some centuries-old religious art relating to Catholicism, and even a large secure clear enclosed rectangular prism that contained a single sword.

"It belonged to El Cid," read Delta. "His real name was Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, a Basque subject 400 years before Spain unified. The monarch divided his kingdom among five children, but one son, Sancho, felt he should have sole control. Rodrigo helped him. When Sancho died, Rodrigo had to go away, since he had fought against the other kids. He got work with the Moors, becoming successful enough to get the nickname of El Cid, which means 'the Lord' in Arabic."

"He was a mercenary," said Makena.

"Gotta have a job," added Bayou.

Delta continued, "Sancho's brother Alfonso was so impressed that he forgave El Cid, who then worked for him. El Cid later fought for himself, capturing what was then the small kingdom of Valencia, where he and his wife ruled for five years until his death in 1099. He is Spain's most famous knight. Ironically, he is known by his Arabic name. But he was from Burgos, and we learned yesterday that he is buried here at the Cathedral. They must be proud of him. Glad we don't fight with swords anymore, though!"

The others nodded.

"He overcame so many challenges," said Bayou. "Persistent, wasn't he?"

Makena nodded.