The Lion in Springtime

19 April 2013

Arrived in Leon after a relatively 18 km walk, made only slightly tiring by the fact that much of it was on city sidewalks.

This is a fantastic city, probably my favourite so far other than Pamplona. Narrow, crooked streets, bursting with life and song and commerce.

The cathedral is glorious. There´s an audio tour, of course, but unlike Burgos, they haven´t turned it into a museum cum tourist attraction. The liturgies are obviously still held in the main part of the church (again, unlike apparently Burgos), with every portion fulfilling its intended function. Not so grand or large as Burgos, it is nevertheless more harmonious and serene.

And the windows! Light pouring in through jeweled windows, in harmony and balance. Just joyful.

Speaking of joyful… Francine has arrived!

We checked into our one and only hotel for the trip – connected to and run by the Benedictine convent next door..

A big farewell to my Camino family, with drinks and dinner, as tomorrow we will take a bus for a bit so that Francine´s first day walking isn´t through the industrial and suburban blah.