Leon

Cathy, Shelagh and myself stayed in a hostal in Leon last night.  Natalie, said she has seen Leon before and wanted to stay in the suburbs, so we had arranged to meet her in San Miguel Alburgue today.  We had the most fantastic time in Leon.  We met up with a large number of our ¨Camino family¨, including Russell aka Dennis the Mennis whom I thought I would never see again. It seems a lot of the pilgrims decided to spend the day and night in Leon and explore and just take in the wonderful atmosphere. We made our way to the main square where there was a farmer´s market going on.  We bought the most tasty cheese, Cherries, oranges, then we just sat around in the various bars, people watching.  It is quite an experience to be in a strange city and know so many people. As we sat at our table, pilgrim, after pilgrim, came by, these are people we have met over the past weeks and who are now our friends.  Every corner we turned we would see someone else we knew.  You see, when one is on the Camino and says Buen Camino to a fellow Pilgrim, one never really knows if they will see that person again, so when we do, it is the greatest feeling.   

Leon is a beautiful City. I am so glad we visited.  The Cathederal is beautiful and the people of Leon very, friendly.  This is another thing we have noticed about the Camino.  When we are in small villages and there is only one shop to buy from, we are never gouged.  A coffee is still only 1.20, no matter where you are.  You can have a  piece of tortilla  (Spanish omelette)and a coffee for 3.00 euros.  Our cherries were 1.99 a kg. 3 huge oranges for 50 cents.  Everything in Spain is so inexpensive and everyone seems so happy.

Tonight we are in Albergue San Miguel.  This is an absolutely beautiful Albergue. We were greeted at the door with a glass of wine. It is a very artsy place. The walls are covered with artwork of fellow pilgrims who have stayed here in the past. I too could paint a picture, but do not think I could even come close to some of the artwork on these walls.   It is such a welcoming place, lovely wood stove, beautiful patio and we all got a bottom bunk! Yeah!!!! As it is getting a bit hard for someone my age to get in and out of bed at night to go to the washroom when I am on the top bunk. I told Natalie if there is only one bunkbed, then I will always let her have the bottom. Age has to have some benefit. lol.  

We will be moving out of the Meseta the day after tomorrow. The scenery will change again. It is all beautiful in it´s own way .  I have really enjoyed it.  We walked roughly 24 k today and I must admit towards the end of our daily walk it can sometimes be a bit hard, but we have realized as long as we take frequent breaks - as per Darlene´s instructions, it makes it so much easier.  Chocolate also helps.  Darlene told me about that too. Well we are off to take the washing off the line and look for something to eat, will post again soon.