Leon

I am really thankful I made the decision to come to Leon and spend some time. This morning, I was able to get some laundry done. Then on my way back to the hotel, I passed an aesthetician salon, and had a wonderful manicure and pedicure. I passed on the "softening" of my feet because, clearly, my monthly pedicure is not a good warm up to the Camino, but my feet feel refreshed with a bit of TLC. For those of you who know my monthly ritual, it is purple this month.

While in the salon, I met a couple of other Camino woman, also travelling solo from Britain. It is surprising the number of woman travelling solo on this trail. But it is also incredibly safe to be alone here. One thing is for sure that people who routinely see pilgrims near their villages or homes or restaurants are very kind and are watching out for us.

So the only picture I have for today is a triumphant picture of a poke bowl with vegetables. So wandering aimlessly about looking at different cafes and trying to get an idea of what people are eating, I wandered up to Loco Cafe, and was deciphering their English menu when a server asked if I would like lunch? This is a bit unusual to be approached, but he was welcoming and friendly, and so I thankfully took a table facing the cathedral. The menu is full of vegetables...so I have a feeling I will be a frequent guest in the days to come.

While sitting at the cafe, another woman came and sat at the table beside me. We vaguely recognized each other from the trail from a few days ago. She is from Cornwall, England and has a border collie...so we shared border collie pictures, shared our camino experiences, shared some food and drink. Valerie raises sheep, but a prestigious sheep for their wool, and so I learned a bit about wool today. It was lovely and refreshing.

My day is not nearly over, and I am trying to track down a friend from Toronto who is in Leon today, but thought I would post this during the siesta...before my nap.

After the nap, I did catch up with Theresa from Toronto who is travelling with a friend for the next week, also Canadian. We had a great evening...2 bottles of wine, great food, great conversation. They head back onto the Way tomorrow, but not before we have coffee in the morning with Diana who is coming into Leon, as Theresa is leaving and as I am staying...it is a Camino thing...people coming and going, but we connect, and stay connected...and then for many of us we will meet in Santiago within days of each of each other which I am sure will be an amazing meeting of people who suffered, sacrificed, relished, and completed the same journey in whatever way the Camino called them.Leggi altro