The Way - Day 26

   Birthday time over - back on the trail - blister or not we keep on towards our goal - this pilgrim statue reminding us why we were in Spain - our first priority - our pilgrimage. Just as some current issues have derailed some of our plans - have also been a disruption with our Lenten journey - drawing our attention away from prayers - quiet time - God - we continue on - always forward.

Statue outside Casa de los Botines 

As we left Leon we passed by the five star Parador® hotel - originally a monastery founded        in the twelfth century to provide lodging for the pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. It later became the headquarters of the Order of Saint James whose soldiers provided protection for the pilgrims. The original building was demolished in the sixteenth century and    the construction of the present building, on the original site, commenced in 1515. This is one      of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in Spain. The carvings depicting religious and historical events on the 100 meter long façade are worthy of note. As a hotel - featured in the movie The Way.

The Parador

Statue of Pilgrim in front of the Parador leaning against the base 

of a cross - with sandals off

Close by the Parador we crossed another babbling stream - peaceful 

Rio Bernesga

As if there aren't enough natural mountains - hills and valleys in northern Spain we came

 upon a man made hill to take walkers over some streets and other obstacles

man made hill

Finally - the hills behind us - we came to a flat stretch - coincidence? praying a rosary at the  time. In Lent so many opportunities to say a rosary or chaplet on a moments notice - 

dotting the day with prayer 

Time for a rest 

The entire pilgrimage we have been walking near - alongside - over the roads along the    Camino trail - now a short stretch under - in Lent do you always take the high road - or are you open to diversions?

Tunnel under highway 

Then there were rocks - rubble 

Dry rocks 

Walking along the highway 

Most of the Camino tracks through the bare countryside - often through farm fields - with 

permission of the farmers - just stay on the trail - do not damage crops - leave it  - as you 

found it 

Alternate transportation - yes ahead

Village time 

Break time  food & drink 

Back on the trail - more and more - again 

At this point we were tired of the sun - heat - feet getting tired- Albergue somewhere ahead -
ready for a shower - vino y tapas - sleep - as with every night some prayers - thank you Lord

for another memorable day - thank you for this time of Lent 

Buen Camino 

Deacon Dale 

The Way - Day 25

 Our second day in Leon - celebrating my birthday - a second chance to allow my blister to heal - stubborn little guy - a good night sleep in a private room - no snoring - no people wandering in the middle of the night - no flashlights in our eyes early in the morning - a very good birthday present indeed.  Any day in Lent when things go your way - no interruptions  with your prayer time - quiet time is a good day - one to be appreciated - little blessing from God - always a gift. 

Posing for Arlene - Public gazebo in the square 

On this special rest day - no backpack to carry around - instead a very light bag to carry a few necessities - a tourist day for my birthday - looking for a suitable place to get our morning cafe con leche and a pastry - not normally found on the Camino trail. 

Bingo - a pastry shop

Back to our starting point to view more statues and fountains

Popular Round-a-bout

In Burgos we had found a bench with a pilgrim statue

Here in Leon a similar bench - combination with a statue of Anton Gaudi the architect  

Arlene and Gaudi  

Discussing plans with Gaudi for Sagrada Familia in Barcelona - who knew that years

 later in 2017 and 2023 I would have the opportunity to deliver two homilies in that 

very church in Barcelona 

We found it interesting while wandering that we would find an American restaurant - at least one named Hollywood - Continually throughout Lent surprises seem to pop up almost 

daily - make one's Lenten journey more interesting - what has surprised you? 

Authentic American?  Did not go in 

Our Hostel Orejas for our stay in Leon

Luckily our hostel was centrally located for all our wandering while in Leon - close to everywhere we wanted to visit - easy to find at night - right on the Camino trail - so ends another day of pilgrimage.  Is your Lent still on track or has it ended - hopefully you are sticking with your plans.

Buen Camino 

Deacon Dale 

The Way - Day 24

 Waking early the next morning - we were approached by two peregrinas (lady pilgrims) who engaged us in a discussion about sharing a taxi with them from our albergue to the City of Leon.  It seems the taxi fare was about €100 - the one lady needed to definitely take the taxi but could not afford the fare on her own - with four of us - only €25 each.  My birthday was the next day - I had mentioned to Arlene that I wanted to celebrate my birthday in a larger city so we said yes - it eliminated two days of walking through a flat boring area - ended up in Leon after a two hour ride.  In Lent - even when we give up certain things - celebrating birthdays - special occasions - attending a funeral - need to continue.  

Waiting for the taxi 

Entering Leon - the taxi dropped us off in a central business district - the first thing we noticed was another public restroom similar to the one in Burgos.  Since we were going to stay two or three days - we set off looking for a regular hostel since the pilgrim hostels did not allow you to stay multiple days in a row.  It was more expensive - private room with private toilet and shower and hot water - worth the price.  As simple as we try to keep things during Lent - basic needs should not be ignored - not necessary to make Lent unbearable - Satan will see to that.

W/C - Public Toilet 

Since we had a secure private room in the hostel we could divest ourselves of our back packs - free to roam around Leon to see the local Cathedral and look for a suitable place for my birthday celebration.  Since Leon is a major city on the Camino - pilgrim menu - available for dinner - very reasonable dinner price €9 each including a full bottle of wine per person.  Cheers! 

Cathedral de Santa Maria

We had plenty of time to tour the cathedral a few times as well as the  immediate area.  Lots of enjoyable sightseeing - places to sit - pray - reflect. 

Cathedral Map 

Our first day in Leon we saw a couple heading to celebrate their wedding - from what we have witnessed - wedding parties tend to be primarily immediate family and friends - not the large gatherings we see in the States - much more family orientated 

Groom & Bride - Just Married - Congratulations

Arlene in her hiking skirt 

The plazas were people only plazas - no cars allowed - large areas 

for people to browse - mingle - socialize 

Public Mime Not a Ghost

This is something that we have seen in many countries - people dress themselves

as characters - stand in the public squares - like statues - collecting donations

In Lent we try to remove our masks - reveal who we really are 

Interesting apartment building - looks like a pleasant place

 to watch the world walk by your window

My beautiful Camino buddy - vino tinto y vino blanco y tapas

Another day coming to an end late mid-day too early for dinner we stop for wine and snacks - a fruitful day - we helped a lady get to Leon when she couldn't afford the taxi fare - we jumped ahead two days - found a place to stay and prepare for my birthday tomorrow.  As I have mentioned - in Lent - on our journey - we need to be prepared for various opportunities that may present themselves to us - being willing to make modifications on our journey - open to whatever God may send our way.  

Buen Camino

Deacon Dale 

The Way - Day 23

 Isn't it awesome when you have a good night's sleep  - makes the prospects of the next day look great.  In Lent when we have been struggling - then things start to suddenly come together - easier to pray - sit in silence - your spirit starts to come alive - future looks much better.  Same on Camino - rough days - easy days - all days lead to better days.  Refreshed by yesterday's shorter day - we head out - open to whatever we experience today.

Up and ready to walk more - pray more - experience more

This looks familiar - blacktop - dirt - gravel - up hill - down hill - sort of like a song stuck in your head. And it goes on and on.... Hail Mary - Glory Be - Our Father - Jesus have mercy 

Looking at the mountains 

A new version of the Camino signs - markers - as we walk through different areas - variety is the spice of life - correct? 

Anybody lose a shoe? 

Walking this path we came upon the Abandoned Ruins of the Monastery at San Anton - there is a small albergue there - no lights - no heat - no hot water - wash your clothes in the stream nearby - very rustic - we move on - too soon to stop. 

San Anton Ruins 

When the monastery was occupied the monks would leave fresh baked bread for the pilgrims who would pass by in these two spaces - thank you Lord for those who help nourish us with food - words from heaven - that encourage us to continue on our journey

Fresh Bread Long Ago 

Camino Map - You Are Here 

We had been warned to look out for people on the Camino who might be looking to take advantage of us - so when these two women appeared from out of nowhere we were cautious - they just wanted to say hello and offer us some hard candy - did not ask for money - wished us well - so who were they - Camino angels?

Buen Camino 

As we continued on we came to a sign directing off the trail - heading us into this field - road construction ahead 

Head This Way Please 

Over the hills - through the fields - we come upon a place to rest and get a drink 

Un Refresco y Bocadillo Por Favor 

A quick lunch break and back on the trail heading towards the open fields again.  Every day - in Lent - time busy with daily life - taking breaks to refresh ourselves spiritually 

A Very Old Camino Way Marker 

Following an old Roman road heading into the mountains - a challenge ahead 

Modern bridge over creek mostly dry 

The Challenge - an extreme incline for the next kilometer - a 12 degree incline - 

even those on bikes ended up walking up this stretch 

The incline begins - pace slows down drastically - sun is bright - hot - 100F

Top of the hill finally - see if you can see the trail we just walked - down 

off to the left & center  

Quite often in Lent - when we don't know where we are heading - we have just as difficult time trying to see where we have come from.  Where did we start - when did we start - are we in the middle of our journey - lost - Lord guide me I pray 

At the top of this hill dozens of pilgrims - walkers - bikers - gathered dripping wet with perspiration - temperature close to 100F - sharing space under a lean to - avoiding the sun - drinking lots of water - regaining our breath - preparing for the next challenge just ahead 

Everyone excited - happy - celebrating - conquering - 

one of the biggest challenges on the Camino 

We are the champions - conquering our own fears - Thank You Lord 

Ready for the next immediate challenge 

Downhill - an 18 degree decline - remember down hills are worse on your knees - ankles - stay erect - don't stumble.  It looks like the cyclists have a free ride here - hopefully they see the tight turn up ahead that will send them flying down a 12 foot drop if they don't pay attention

Walking down about a 45 minute walk - cycling - 10 minutes at best 

Flat terrain again getting close to stopping for the day 

There it is 

Todays trek was vey hot - clothes dripping wet - looking for the showers - laundry - getting into dry clothes - sitting outside drinking wine - eating some tapas until dinner time. Most albergues have wi-fi here very difficult getting a connection - no email - no connection with those back home.  Even when we think we have all that we need - often something lacking.  For the past few years - even today - has provided all of us with challenges - as we attempt to return to normal - not always easy -  through these times - Jesus I Trust in You 

Buen Camino

Deacon Dale 

The Way - Day 22

 In this third week of Lent many may ask themselves - am I doing this correctly - what have I accomplished - where am I going?  After our previous night on the Camino I think we were asking ourselves this same thing. We had walked all day - a very hot sweaty day - stopped at the suggested village - only to discover that three alburgues was about one too little - a lot more pilgrims than could be accommodated - one lonely restaurant that didn't serve dinner until 7:30 PM at night and by 6:30 PM already booked full twice over. That was an exhausting day - a trying night - sleeping in a dusty gymnasium - one bathroom - did I mention a cold water shower?   Still - God did bless us with a peaceful nights sleep - considering the rude early morning shuffling of the 5:00 AM early risers - shinning their flashlights into our eyes - morning arrived on time - we - the normal pilgrims - waking refreshed. Once we had our things gathered - back on the trail. At this point we were starting to see more pilgrims - peregrinos (Spanish) - on the trail. A quick stop for our morning cafe con leche y tostada - and on our way.  Today we met our first peregrino walking the trail backwards - often pilgrims will walk to Santiago - then walk the trail back home - double the kilometers/miles - especially those who live on the trail.

Hello - can I burro your trekking buddy?

This was a first for us - Arlene's face shows her surprise as this older peregrino with his donkey walked by.  A quick buen camino - exchanged by both and on we continued. 

Buenas dias senor - Buen Camino 

Hot - Dry - Lonely - Never Ending Trail 

**You can see today's trail wind to the top of  the mountains in the center of this photo. 

This stretch of the Camino known for its heat - dry - brown expanse of nothing - fields harvested - laying dormant - definitely a sweat zone.  Only thing to do - pray - pray again - continuously.  During our Lenten journey - many days will feel like that - never ending - tired - perhaps boring - the same old - same old - yet - we continue - in faith we stick with it - somewhere - to an end. 

Surprise monument to Saint Brigida

Saint Brigida Statue in Alcove 

Pressing on at the 11 Kilometer mark we find an albergue - serving a second breakfast of cafe con leche y tostada - looking around - we decide to make it a short day - this place a palace compared to last night's gymnasium.  11 Kilometers not a long trek - but there was a fair amount of uphill - besides the laundry facilities excellent - the latte only €2 - who can beat that. Bocadillas for lunch - taking a nap - waiting for dinner - tonight another full bottle of wine

Welcome to our albergue - they even carried our back packs upstairs for us 

Possibly the only day that we stopped this early - yesterday was rough - spotting this oasis - the promise of a real bunk for the night - we treated ourselves to this short day - no guilt.  On our Lenten journey - we often stretch ourselves too thin - make ourselves depressed that we failed to do all planned - occasionally we stop dead in our tracks - take a day of respite - no good reason to push ourselves too hard - this really is not life or death - after all - we are trying - right?

Washing station - laundry tubs - hot water - drying racks - excellent

A few other pilgrims obviously had the same idea - plenty of space to take advantage - of free time - time to relax

Arlene enjoying the free time 

The photo below is the same shown above the Saint Brigida photo - long walk - climbing up the mountain - recharging our emotional batteries -  mentally preparing for that long up hill that we will tackle tomorrow. 

A short enjoyable day - plenty of time to relax - pray - meet a few pilgrims - share some stories.  Our Lenten journey should always allow time for unscheduled interruptions - especially when it involves sharing our experience with others.  You never know when you might meet Jesus in a stranger - break bread in an out of the way place.

Buen Camino

Deacon Dale