Yesterday (July 1) the train ride from Leon to Santiago began our journey's last leg. From Santiago we'll walk 5 days (55 miles) to Finisterre and then 2 days (about 18 miles) to Muxia, where the three remaining ex-votos will be left. Muxia has a long tradition of pilgrimage, ex-votos, and healing. I first became aware of this spot on the last walk when several pilgrims mentioned it and then later read about Muxia in my ex-voto studies (more info later).
Before leaving for the station, we visited the inside of Leon's cathedral, which is renowned for its stain glass windows (no good pics to show). Afterwards while walking around the plaza, we saw a walker whom we'd met at L'Esprit du Chemin in St. Jean. He had lost his wife Lilian a year ago. After asking him how his journey had gone thus far, he described the experience of hiking the Camino Frances in 3 stages: from St. Jean to Burgos, the path physically breaks down pilgrims; in the second stage, from Burgos to Leon (the Meseta), walkers are mentally broken down; during the last stage, from Leon to Santiago, the Camino mends pilgrims, healing their bodies and minds.
Pictures from our morning in Leon:
Cathedral cloister details:
A group by the Cathedral perhaps on a tour
At Attention!
Old guys :)
Dad with Spanish high schoolers who were
playing basketball at a park
On the train -- a 5 hour ride to Santiago
Arrival 19:45 to Santiago de Compostela
The first night we stayed at Seminario Mayor albergue, an historical monastery complex turned walker hostel -- it's a huge structure with lots of amenities, including a little tienda for food.
Seminario's 'lobby'
The front door's ironwork includes shells and St. James' crosses.
The tienda & cocina in the lower floor
A late dinner was eaten at Derby, a neighborhood bar.
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