One Year Ago: León and… Francine!

[thomryng]

(from my journal)

León

19 April

In León after a relatively easy 18km walk, made only slightly more difficult by the fact of walking on sidewalks for much of it.

This is a fantastic city! It’s probably my favourite so far – other than Pamplona of course. Narrow, crooked streets, bursting with life and commerce.

A Lion in León!

Plaza in front of the Benedictine Albergue (and Hotel)

The Cathedral is glorious. There’s an audio tour, of course, but unlike Burgos, they haven’t turned it into a museum. The liturgies are obviously still held in the Cathedral’s nave, with every portion fulfilling its intended function. Nor so large or grand as Burgos, it is nevertheless more harmonious and serene.

And the windows! Light pouring through jewels in harmony and balance. Just joyful.

Santa María de León Cathedral

Santa María de León Cathedral – Rose Window

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Francine has arrived! Her first act on arriving in the city was to find two French pilgrims in need of assistance. We assisted them.

Checked into the hotel attached to the Benedictine convent.

Francine in León

Benedictine Convent in León: Medal of Saint Benedict

Benedictine Convent in León: Medal of Saint Benedict (the other side!)

Real beds!

Big farewell to my Camino family: drinks then dinner. Tomorrow, Francine and I take a bus about a day forward so her first day of the Camino is not walking through the city and suburbs of León.

The Big Goodbye in León

Eamon and I

All the photos for day 18.

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Originally published at Another Pilgrim on the Way