Day 23: Pilgrim House & Success

10.4k👣 4Z🧡 Exploring SdC

Joe's feeling a bit better but still just needs to rest

E,A, & I went out for a bite - tomato & cheese toast with a cafe con leche
Sorted out more plans for our next bit and also talked about issues heavy deep and real.

Went over to the tourism office to get some ideas of other things to do for tomorrow, and stumbled across a lovely chapel there
The ladies at the tourism office there did not speak much English, so we didn't get an answer to that question
We did get to pick up info on the Camino Inglés and meet two peregrinas who had walked it and loved it

E&A left to pay for the apartment tonight (as we were able to extend our stay for Joe), so I stayed to sketch outside at a café

Alongside me was Arek, a pilgrim who was a retired colonel in the Polish military. Had worked in NATO and traveled to the US, etc. Very engaging fellow and we exchanged contact info.

Just then, the café staff kicked me off the table as it was the lunch hour, so I moved inside to finish up the sketch. When I stepped out of the café, Abby and Eric were just walking towards me!

We went in search of the Museum of Pilgrimage (closed; it was Monday today) and then on to Pilgrim House. Jackpot!!! It was a lovely spot, with couches and guitars, computers and knowledgeable staff, restrooms, washing machines, and a shower ("an albergue without beds," the staff said). And in the back was a lovely garden for reflection.

We asked for help with getting our train tickets to Astorga, having been frozen out several times midway through the process, and FINALLY: success! Not only that, but they printed out paper copies for us.

We stayed to chat with some pilgrims and a staff member for a while and then headed back to the apartment. Joe is even better, still resting, but beginning to eat a bit (Spanish tortilla/omelet).

We wandered back in the direction of the apartment, stopping at different shops. Caught a light dinner of ensalada completa (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green olives & tuna - yum!) on the way to the Pilgrim Mass at 7:30 at the Cathedral. No line! But full pews - 😯. All in Spanish, of course, but between my classes and a lifetime of Catholic practice, I was able to follow along.

And - wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles - we got to see the great sliver botafumeiro fly!!! MAGNIFICENT!

Went under the altar to see St. James in the crypt and say a quick prayer there. Then met up with A&E in the bookstore to enjoy the plaza at night and head home. Polished off the night with this journaling and some sangriaBaca lagi