October 08th, 2013

One of the really great things about being on the  the Camino is seeing how people from different countries and cultures come together and connect, and realizing, whatever out backgrounds and life experiences, how much we have in common.  For example, the day before yesterday in the albergue in Sahagun I overheard a pilgrim conversation between an old  American ex-patriot  now living in Denmark and a retired Belgian finacier turn from politics and culture to the American  teaching the Belgian, "Beans, Beans, They´re Good For Your Heart," which the Belgian financier thoroughly enjoyed! See?  It really is a small world after all!   Tom´s popularity continues to grow among the English-speaking (and sometimes even the non-English-speaking) pilgrim community.   It was also the day before yesterday that a British pilgrim said to me, "Tom is quite wonderful, you know...like...Lincoln!"  (While I agree that Tom is quite wonderful, I think he´s got a better smile than LIncoln).  We really enjoyed our first day in Leon yesterday.  Claire:  Well, no, I´d have to say that Leon, Spain,doesn´t much resemble Leon, Nicaragua - on so many levels!  Except, I guess, that Spanish is spoken in both cities.  We haven´t yet toured Leon´s gem, it´s beautiful cathedral,  because,    I must guiltily admit,  we spent  most of our day sightseeing at El  Corte Ingles,  Leon´s  huge 6-story department store, like vertical mega-mall.  (As I said, this Leon doesn´t quite resemble  Leon, NIcaragua.  Agreed,  Claire?)   We did walk around the town some, it´s really lovely.  We really like our hotel, "il Boccalino",  but,  yes, Maria, (our adapter-finder!) we are going to try and get beds with the Bendictine sisters tonight, and hopefully we´ll get to hear them sing vespers. Yesterday our eating schedule was all over the place, we added up that we stopped at five  different cafes and restaurants through out the day (including the one at El Cotre Ingles)!  Today we hope to get in some reputable sightseeing, (and more organized eating!) including the cathedral and the museum, then get ready to return to the Camino tomorrow after our two days of playing Camino Hookey. (Another occasional Camino Whatever!).  Everyone have a wonderful day! Love, Patti 8)