Arriving to Leon (Day 21)

After, leaving Saint Jean Pied de Port on April 1st and 506kms later, I arrived to Leon around 1:30pm today.

As written in many books, Leon is spectacular in it’s architecture, vibe and food. It has a very important place in Spanish history and dates back to 29 BC but became a promenent city in the 10th century as the capital of Kingdom of Leon, an important medieval Spanish power. It has a cathedral that is as impressive as the one in Burgos and also has architecture built by Gaudi.

Tomorrow, I will tour the town. But today, I am chugging down as many calories as I can, licking my wounds (blisters and shin splints) and drinking my favorite Spanish drink Radler (lemon beer) which is starting to contribute heavily into my calorie goals each day.

Tonight going to a big dinner with many as Leon will be the last time all of us are in one place from the cohort of April 1st.

I know I have written many times about kindness I observe on the Camino. Perhaps with the risk of sounding repetitive, below is a Dutch lady (forgot her name) who is a physiotherapist treating fellow pilgrims that she knows and doesn’t know for their blisters. She did this for 3 hrs straight after arriving to our albuerge on her own Camino. As blisters need airing out she also gave appointment times from 5am till 7am for people who needed to air out their feet for the next day. Nothing expected in return. Second photo is a Dutch girl that I judged to be too loud when I met her 3 weeks ago with Amy on day 2. Feel ashamed of thinking that as she is the sweetest Dutch on the Camino. Right after her feet got treated by the other lady. The third photo is the pet turkey of the albuerge.

Amy is watching Dune 2 as I write these lines. In 2 hrs 40 minutes her life will never be the same. She has promised me that she will call me at intermission. Will see if that happens as I feel in this relationship I might be the more needy one. Just might by an inch.

Photos from today as I walked into Leon.

Kms today: 19 kms

Kms total: 506.5 kms

Steps total: 158.4k Amy, 679k Ahmet