Barcelona to Leon - 🎵A day in the Camino life

-

Today I traveled by train from Barcelona to Leon and .., bought a guitar. Angel, the coordinator of the Villadangos del paramo albergue where I am volunteering told me there were no musical instruments there. So I decided to bring one .
After closing the door on the Barcelona Central Garden building, I walked towards the station passing people waiting for their building to open. Imagine working in this Gaudi designed building.

The station was busy with people heading in all directions. I joined the queue,
The journey took over 8 hours, tedious at times but mostly fine. I enjoyed the changing scenery, including places that I had walked through - such as the Meseta, a high plain between Burgos and Leon.

Eventually the train pulled into Leon. The city symbols greeted me.

I made my way through the streets . 

Towards my albergue for the evening- with its functional yet distinctively non Gaudian features.
I checked in. There were only top bunks left in the 4 bed dorm. Oh well!
 I asked the hospitalero about music stores and he pointed me in right direction.
I followed the signs to the Plaza Major and found one. I chatted with the cool dudes who work there (😎 they are the same the world over)
Moments later, I came out of the shop - one happy man!
Leon Cathedral is spectacular- famous for its Gothic architecture and stained glass windows.
My new guitar and I wandered the inner city and had dinner nearby 
We made it back to the albergue - in the dark - with just enough charge on my phone.

Mickey and Minnie - and Bluey were very happy about that! So was Grandad! 






 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Salceda to Santiago de Compostela- Arrived!

-
Image
Today I arrived at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. There was much celebration. Friends ahead of me friends behind me - we watched each other walk in - memories of steep climbs and descents, being alone, being together on the path - came flooding back. There was no need for words - just smiles and hugs, and plans to get together tonight. Head light primed for an early start. I organised with friends further along to meet them for breakfast - I had some kilometres to cover. It was dark. Fortunately, I (sort of) knew the path. I had walked it in daylight - and in the rain and dark before. I stayed here once . . . Years ago, a good friend came back to this place to see if I was alright. It was cold, dark and wet. I had been ill and he checked on me. We walked together to the Cathedral, even singing ‘Volare’ towards the end when I came good. I made breakfast at O Pedrouzo- how wonderful! Everyone wished each other well- some I had seen each day, others not for ages. After breakfast, we bi...
Read more

Santiago to Oviedo - Singing and sauntering

-
Image
Arume Bar in Santiago is so welcoming. Bar owner Habin shook my hand as I walked in, and asked me to play. Andoni the resident guitarist saw me and came over, gave me a hug, and we did a set. I love Santiago. My hostel was close by the cathedral. After checking in, I went in search of a beer (well two actually). And something to eat. Later I met Camino friends for  dinner, and suggested we go to the Arume Bar - it was an open mic night. Local artists played including one (Harry) who I knew from Finisterre as well as a Mexican guy who was fabulous. Andoni’s wife sang Stand By Me (blended with Every Breath You Take) with us. Next morning, chocolate con churros hit the spot. The rest of the day was a slow saunter around Santiago. My body appreciated it. I said goodbyes to various Camino friends and had an early night. I dropped the key in the box, left the hostel. I started making my way to the bus station. The cathedral precinct was almost deserted. I sat down in the Plaza Obradoiro ...
Read more

Made it to Madrid!

-
Image
Tapas and pintxos anyone! How can I go past a market named after Saint Michael? It was wonderful returning to Madrid - and having enough energy to go out for an early dinner. It had been a long day since the Beach Hut morning farewell 😊- in fact it was the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and was the longest night in Australia as I left. Leaving Nowra, I had half the globe to cross! The train journey to Sydney airport was scenic and subdued, with only my guitalele for company glancing at me suspiciously from the seat opposite - ‘you’re doing this again, Mike?’ The flight left on time, the service was fine and I watched ‘A Complete Unknown’ a couple more times time before landing in Dubai. Like a Rolling Stone indeed. Dubai looked a little brighter closer up The flight from Dubai to Madrid detoured south over Egypt (for obvious reasons) and after ‘seven flying hours’ landed in Madrid.  The plane was on time - and my pack appeared on the baggage carousel. Thank go...
Read more