MELTED IN THE RAIN

Leon 317 km to Santiago

open door at a village church

fountain at Plaza Mayor

a garden in a rural village

I had several days of wonderful walking.  Perhaps the most notable  Village was Santo Domingo de Calzada.  Known as Saint Dominic of the Road, he did much to build roads for the pilgrims in the 11th Century.  And we are reaping the benefit today.  There are many stories about this community.  Many concern Chickens.  At the beginning of Mass on Sunday the cock spent a lot of time crowing.  A cock and a hen are kept right in the church.  The symbol of the town is a chicken , it is seen in pastry, candy, pottery and more. 

On Monday I had a brisk walk with Martha from Barcelona.  She literally does the Camino a day or two at a time.  She drives her car to where she last stopped  parks and walks for  a day or two and then takes the bus back to her car.  She works for a bank and says that they have had many days off with no pay so she walks the camino on those days.

My room with private bath - what a treat!

On Monday night I stayed at a Casa Rural.  A village home offering bed, dinner and breakfast.  I chose this one because of its name  ENCANTADA.  It is my favorite Spanish word.  It was wonderful.  Ana welcomed us with open arms.  The other guests were a French couple and a Canadian couple from Saskatchewan.  Our rooms were beautiful, and the dinner was tastey and  filling.  

the rain is coming!

the blue rain gown

On Tuesday I was well fortified for a day of walking. I did well, BUT the rain started.  I put on my rain gear, but the wind came with it. You know the song...Oklahoma where the waving wheat sure smells sweet when the wind come right behind the rain...This was the exact description, but at 30 miles an hour. Not the gentle soft rain I experienced in Ireland.  I completed my walking goal, picked up my backpack at the albergue and caught the bus for Burgos.  And the rain came down harder.  In an effort to get ahead of or away from the rain I took the bus from Burgos to Leon.  I have reset my schedule and my intention and it is walking from here on in.    I did have time to see the beautiful  Cathedral and Square in Burgos.  Today I spent a full day in  Leon seeing the sights and also the MUSAC, Museum of contemporary art. 

There is still a forecast for rain for the next 3 days, but I hope it is wrong.

2 new friends

 lunch in burgos with new friend

Santa Maria gate Burgos

Cathedral entrance

More new friends ... When I got off the bus in Burgos there were 3 women hovering near me.  They asked what I was going to do, I said go on to Leon.  In unison they said they were going with me. They thought I knew what I was doing!  So we four bought bus tickets to Leon.  Then we found a place for lunch.  At lunch I found out that my new friends were a Finnish women who spoke some English and her two friends who spoke only Russian. We all toured the cathedral at Burgos together.  I think their individual packs are each 3 X´s the size of mine and of course wet.  Once we got on the bus to Leon I met Aussie friends Mother and daughter, Margaret and Anna whom I met in Zubiri on day 3 of the journey.

So here is my first bit of enlightenment from my journey.  I love my family and friends.  They are the best.      I´¨m so happy that you are all on my side and cheering me on.  How lucky am I! How grateful am I!

I love you all! 

 Mel

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