I did a little sight seeing, shopping, and religious activities yesterday in León, so I didn't get around to writing. I needed to replace the yoga pants I left behind accidentally a while ago. I found some pants in a sporting goods store that are like light weight yoga pants, but have some silver material which is supposed to use your own body heat to keep you warm, but also regulate the heat so you don't get too warm. We'll see. As I said in my short post, they are like Star Trek thermals. Beam me up Scottie.
I also went and visited the cathedral in Leon. It is a gothic cathedral with the the soaring arched ceilings. What makes this one different from all the other astoundingly beautiful cathedrals with soaring arched ceilings is that it has hundreds of stained glass windows in the arches and other places. It really is beautiful.
I lit a candle for Daniel in the cathedral and said a little prayer that he finds what I found, thank you Jonathon. I always enjoy lighting candles in churches. I'm not sure why, maybe it's just some small thing I can do to participate. I really like lighting the real candles, which are slowliy being replaced by little electric light ones. Maybe it's a fire safety thing, though in the huge stone churches that hardly seems an issue. The only thing that could burn are the pews. Or maybe it's maintenance, having to keep the place stocked with candles. Though the electric ones seem to break a lot. Or maybe it's the money. Hmmm with the real candles you are supposed to pay to light them, but there's nobody there to check. I think your prayer or request might loose some suction if you cheat. If you do the real ones, you have a decision to make, which one should I light or where should I put the one I light. These decisions may have powerful spiritual and cosmic consequences, don't you know. On the other hand, the machines choose for you. You put in you 20 cents and a tiny electric light flickers on at the top of a plastic cylinder representing a candle. It's all very entertaining, of you are me. It just doesn't take much to entertain me.
Early evening I went to Vespers Mass (Misa Vispera) where the Benedictine sisters sing the responsorial parts of the mass. It sounds really lovely. I was late because I couldn't find the place. I went to the church where some guy was painting lacquer on trim and waited around for mass to begin long enough to get a headache. Then I went and asked at the Albergue and they said Vespers are in the Capilla which I guess is the private chapel for the brothers and sisters. Someone please shine some light on this, if I'm wrong.
Later I went to a benediction or blessing for us Pilgrim's. I thought it was going to be in the courtyard of the Albergue, but we just met there and then walked over to the Capilla together over to the Capilla. This time the nuns sang and we sang responses. It was fun.
So you can clearly see why I haven't had time to write. lol
There is this couple I've been seeing for a few days now. They are a real Mutt and Jeff team. He his tall dark and thin as a rail. She is short, round and light completed. They are both friendly and we laugh now every time we see one another. She seems to have a very happy disposition and it makes me happy to see them. They are Spanish.
Yesterday when I stopped for my morning café con leche and a cheese omelette, quite yummy by the way, I saw a young family, parents in their early thirties, with a daughter about 11, and a baby about six months. Then I noticed the had fully loaded pack packs sitting by them. I didn't see a baby carrier, so I thought maybe dad and daughter are walking and mom and the baby are driving along and meeting them when they stop. Then maybe they all stay in a Hostal or Casa Rural (bed and breakfast.) only pilgrims are allowed to stay in the albergues.
Last night they showed up at the Albergue. It was a sex segregated one, boys upstairs, girls downstairs, so only the mom, baby and daughter are in the room I am in. The mom and daughter had beds pushed together and the baby slept between them. I was mystified. I saw no toys or other stuff to entertain the baby, but it was really well behaved. It made a couple of short fusses and nothing more. And I kept thinking, the mom looks so fresh and rested. I think that's why I thought she was driving. This morning I saw them on the Camino and mom was carrying the baby in a cloth thing wrapped around her and the baby!! The baby was facing out and looked happy as a clam. Mom was also carrying a back pack!! I have no idea what they are doing about diapers and food, but I am impressed.
So now I'm tucked into my little Albergue for the night. I have taken my shower, washed my clothes, and walked into town got some more blister supplies from the farmácia and ate. I had some delicious baked pork, French fries, spaghetti and vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce. Then I had a siesta. Now I'm going back to town to see the church and go to the store.
I couldn't find the church! The town only has like three streets and I couldn't find the church. I guess I really didn't want to find it that bad, because I could have asked someone. I did go to the market and get some supplies. I think I'll have a cup of yogurt for dinner because I'm still full from my big meal today.
Oh my God, guess who just showed up, the German guy! He was talking about how many kilometers he walked, I didn't think I'd ever see him again. He showed up with these two nice German guys I met two days ago. Too funny.
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