A day off in Leon, a wonderful hotel (hosperteria monastica pax) , a sleep in and a scrumptious breakfast ... loading our pockets with booty for tomorrow, what more could a poor pilgrim want ? How about a haircut . beard trim and shave with a cut throat razor by the local hipster barber...it was a day spa experience all rolled into one☺(see pics).
How can we beat that....meander along the Camino through small streets filled with amazing shops, packed with people from everywhere enjoying life..heading to Leon Cathedral..BUT we were sidetrack when Anita spotted a sweets shop (need to keep the blood sugar level up)...packed with every kind of lollies imaginable and we came way heavy laden down (will regret tomorrow)...but how big the smile...see pic.
From there we managed another sidetrack...a motorised train thing that took us around the sights...we do enough walking right ? Anyway by the time we got back, had a customary cafe con leche...the cathedral was closed for siesta!...open again at 4pm.Still getting use to the Spanish way...we did bump into Deanna,a pilgrim we have met many times before, who convinced us to have a Tinto blanco and tapas...she was with Minda, a young swede who did the Camino last year as well.(see pic)
So you see, Camino is all about interruptions and changed plans that work out....a lesson that I keep being re taught.
We had a nice finish to yesterdays tough day when we bumped into Paul, a retired scientist from Chapel Hill, had a good catch up...his sharing about putting on weight from the Spanish hospitality and diet of carbs and alcohol was a timely reminder for me. We then promptly went and had a drink together.☺ Another pilgrim couple we met appeared and mentioned the pilgrims service at the monastery which is part of our hotel complex...despite the service being in Spanish it was a good experience..the pilgrim blessing was given in English...and was meaningful.
Finally made into the cathedral after an earlydinner...AMAZING...architecture..stain glass window...great to sit and absorb...loving Leon..we discussed staying an extra day but with body recovery we agreed it was time to hit the path again...with 20 days walking left we have a few days up our sleeve just ready for another Camino surprise.
Ps: Some more shopping therapy for Anita with a new T-shirt in Spanish.."no guts no glory ☺
Pps: had to include my pic with Elvis
Ppps: can you pic the Parador..featured in a classic scene from the movie .."the way"?
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