We made it to Sahagun by a little after 11:00. At the entrance to the town there was a large mound with about 4-5 homes dug into the mound, complete with doors, chimneys and TV antennas. Must be nice and cozy! The next little town was also associated with the Templar Order and had a nice town square and church. There were beautiful rolling hills throughout the morning so we went up and down a bit, but it was not difficult. When I stop to take pictures Andy usually keeps walking and sometimes leaves me in the dust. I had a nice time of private worship (no one bothered me or passed me by) singing choruses and hymns from my bringing up. Was a nice quiet time with The Lord on a beautiful Sunday morning.
Sahagun is a town of 170,000. We had a bit of a time getting our bearings but finally found the Plaza Mayor. We had some trouble with the cash machine, but after a few tries, money came out! We think it came from our account anyway! Andy sat down to get a drink and I went to find the Pension we had scoped out. I couldn't find it on the Square so I stopped a wound woman who was coming up the street. Jehovah Jirah...the place I was looking for closed, but this gal had just opened a pension.
She walked me through the Square and up the block (Andy watching me go by). It's a cute little
place called Los Balcones del Camino, was a good price including breakfast, and had just been updated. The bathroom is wonderful (it's the little things that get us excited on the Camino). AND, Mary and the baby Jesus are looking over us from the head of the bed. So by about one o'clock we had lunch and were settled in. We can stay as long as we like in the morning....sleeping in again sounds good. We have another 14 km to complete tomorrow so we will relax some more and then make our way at a leisurely rate.
We have a choice as to which way we go tomorrow. You can follow a path along a road for the next day and a half....OR you can go on the old Roman Road which was part of the Via Romana which is very isolated, but shorter. There are no towns and no water and no facilities along much of this route, but it still sounds quieter and more peaceful. Both routes meet up at the end of the 2nd day in Mansilla da las Mulas. It is all pretty flat fortunately.
The day after that we walk into Leon! Just today we crossed the line from the Province Palencia into
the Province Leon. This is the largest and the wealthiest and most populous we pass through on all of the Camino. (2.5 million people live here). It offers the most varied terrain on the Camino. Right now we continue with the Tierra de Compos with its flat and well irrigated agricultural land. The towns have been very small and somewhat run down - almost poor looking, especially when compared with all the beautiful white stucco homes with wonderful flower boxes that we have enjoyed so much. The adobe homes are often bright red in the intense sun. But we have also seen a lot of mud covered homes and walls in this area.
We have been told that a lot of people tend to bus through this flat breadbasket region we have been
walking though the past few days, especially if they are short on time. Many think it is burning and all the same, but we have enjoyed it. Maybe it reminds us of home.
We are meeting Barb and Dave for supper on the Plaza at 7:00. I met them the very first night in St.
Jean....when I offered to take their picture. We have crossed paths several times since then. I think I
will go look around a little. Charlemagne was linked to this town. Monasteries, churches and hospices have been plentiful in this town through the years . Since the early days of the Camino the town has given shelter. To
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