Leon

This morning as we left we had what felt like a marine fog. Beautiful, but cold!!
We finished the Meseta when we entered Leon.
I love seeing Storks nest!! Just on the outskirts of this amazing city an old chapel bell tower (?) held 3 nests. Love it!
As we entered Leon heading to the Cathedral, as the Camino will always leased on to the main church or cathedral in each town or village, hundreds of bicyclists traveled to the cathedral all do! Whether is was a special day or a charity event, I don’t know but the excitement in the air was a thrill!
After a wonderful lunch, shower and seeing the city we headed to the Pilgrims Mass in the Basilica.
Side note:: a cathedral is where a bishop is ‘seated’. A Basilica is ‘named’ by a pope due to artifacts or historical/religious importance. The photos don’t do it justice!. When lit for Mass it was stunning.
During Mass which was all in Spanish, while looking at the amazing architecture and beauty created I slipped into my own head. When the ‘ushers’ came around with the baskets for any donations, I was flooded suddenly with imagines of my dad.
My dad was a wonderful, funny man. One of many things he was was an user at our Catholic Church. He knew everyone. He could chide the priest for too long sermons. Dad would shake the donation basket at his friends (during mass no less) to tease them as if they should give more. He could squeeze 3 more people into any pew and have folks smiling and chucking over some quip as he added one more. Such sweet, wonderful moments I could count on.
I couldn’t stop my quiet tears as one memory then another rolled over me. Why now? The Camino?
We headed out of Leon today. Only weeks left and it already is feeling as if it’s going too fast. I want to head home but this rhythm and what one can accomplish is full filling.
Love to all.Read more