Camino Day 23: Leon
“People don’t take trips, trips take people.”
Day 23: 23.3 kilometres - 34,700 steps
It’s a peaceful rest day. We start with a visit to the Cathedral. It’s smaller than Burgos and less decorative but has the most breathtaking stained glass windows. The Cathedral was built in only 50 years, so it’s very cohesive and beautiful, true to its original design without too many later additions.
We roam around the city, it’s gorgeous. There are many buildings by Gaudi. His style is so striking it’s easy to pick them out.
Sylvie has had her hair done, roots dyed and blow-dried. We all had afternoon sleeps. A decadent rest day.
Late in the afternoon, Donna was wandering around the hotel we are staying in, taking photos (it’s another converted monastery), when she bumped into the priest of the adjoining Basilica. He was trying unsuccessfully to talk to her in Spanish. Anyway, she managed to tell him that she was a peregrina. So, with the help of the staff at reception, he invited us all to a special blessing at the Basilica for pilgrims at 7.30pm. We had arranged to meet the boys for drinks at the hotel but convinced them to join us for the blessing.
It was very special. At the end of the mass the lovely old priest asked all the pilgrims to join him in the smaller chapel. He was excited to see us and gave us a big wave! Because he only speaks Spanish and knew we really only spoke English, he asked another pilgrim to translate for him. He told us he was delighted to welcome pilgrims from Australia. He also said he knew we didn’t have any Romanesque churches in Australia! The blessing was very sincere. We felt singled out and the other pilgrims didn’t understand why, you could see the curious looks on their faces. Donna works her special magic. Again! After the blessing he personally gave us all a special stamp for our credenzas.
Our group, including Philip Rod and Nat (but not Sylvie who was tired and crashed out early), hit the streets to find a bar for dinner. We ended up in a fabulous little Italian place just off the main Cathedral Square. After dinner we took a memorable photo of the five of us in front of the Cathedral. The Sky was an extraordinary colour. I wish Ben was here. Again. He would have taken the most amazing photo and loved this group (perhaps not the blessing though!). I told everyone the “IT BURNS” story from the time he unexpectedly received blessing of holy water in Mexico. Too funny.
A great last night for Donna. It might break my heart when she leaves.
POSTCARDS FROM Leon
