Leon to Villar de Mazarife

Greetings from Mazarife!  It is another beautiful day in Spain.  It is in the 70's but we have had a nice breeze so it feels great!  We ate breakfast in our room this morning and left at 6:30.  We walked down along the River Bernesga to get to the San Marcos Square to cross the old bridge into the outskirts and suburbs of Leon.  There wasn't much traffic and not many people out and about, so it went quickly...but it was built up for about five miles.  The way was not marked real well much of the way so we had to be viligent to watch for arrows and shells.

 In La Virgen del Camino we finally left the city life and were walking in the open range.  Not many farms or crops for quite some time....just wild grasses, scrub bushes, a few trees and lots of birds. Was quiet and peaceful.  Some of the time it was flat and easy, but some of it was rolling hills and vales.  We walked through a couple little burgs along the way.  We stopped at one cafe for a short rest and a bathroom/water break.   All there was in this little place was houses and the cafe...not much else.  Later we stopped at a little bar and ate apples and hazel nuts.  Andy was thirsty and had his first morning beer break!

We have noticed in this region there are cattle and pigs but you only smell them....you never see them.  Andy can tell the difference between cow and pig smells...it just smells like manure to me!

We talked a bit about the fact (Andy noticed, not me) that we have not seen one fire truck or firehouse or fire hydrant in any of the cities or towns across Spain.  We have heard police sirens but never a fire bell or siren.  Many of the Albergues have only one way out...often the windows are secured with wrought iron bars.  Even in the 4 to 5 story university dorm where we were last night, there was only one stairway to get out.  Most of the buildings would not meet code in the US.  Interesting.

When we got to Villar de Mazrife, we saw two places to stay, each with 50 beds.  We choose to go on to Albergue Tio Pepe in the center of town which has only 22 beds with 1 to 4 bunkbeds in various room arrangements.  She gave us a room with one bunk for about the same as what we usually pay.  The individual bath/shower rooms are shared, but each one is private....really a nice set up!  She serves supper here so we will have supper on the patio again.  Makes conversation and shared meals together with other Pilgrims an easy natural thing.  One night earlier this week we sat with an Australian family...we have met 4 - 5 Aussie families (3 to 6 members) over our time on the trail.  I cannot remember meeting any other families!  Interesting!

I have two friends who are wanting to follow in our footsteps and come on the Camino, so they have been asking questions along the way.  We hope to come up with our Top 10 Tips here before long!

Don't want to forget our best lessons learned.  #1 for me would be, loosen your shoe laces a little more each day!  I hardly have enough lace left to tie my shoes, but it sure helps the swollen feet!

We went to the local super market (corner store) and got food for lunch, breakfast and a snack for the morning part of the walk....we try not to carry much food.  I haven't taken my little walk around town yet...will do that in a few minutes. Not much to see here, but it is still fun - after I rest my feet a bit.

Had an interesting conversation with Barb and Dave from Canada this afternoon...neat people and a lot of fun, too.  They share our love for Jesus and we have shared God's goodness in several different towns.  

Just enjoyed delightful conversation over dinner with Frank, a German man who is our age.  He had many interesting stories to tell, especially about life in Germany after the war.  His father was on his way to Siberia after being captured during the war.  He knew he would die there so he jumped the train. He worked his way back to Germany 2000 km, walking only at night. Now all these years later his father's experience inspires Frank to overcome the pain in his feet and finish the Camino.  A wonderful connection as he has a daughter who lives in Wurtzburg.  All in all a nice evening once again.