#23-Walking the Camino-May 14, 2016

21st day of walking

Calzadilla de los Hermanillos to Mansilla de Mulas de Leon

Today we started something new. To help Dad rest his poor feet and recover a bit we took a taxi and travelled two days worth of walking in about an hour and a half. A taxi came to our B&B to pick us up and he said he had one more person to pick up and had to buy gas.

We got to the gas station which was also a hotel and waited for 25 min or so. Three guys show up!  There is only room for two more in the taxi.  A bit of arguing ensued and the taxi driver said he'd have to leave us because he had agreed with these other guys first. Well, that was annoying. He took us to an albergue and said a friend would come in ten minutes and take us the rest of the way to Leon.  Here's Dad waiting for the guy who never came. We finally asked the manager of the bar to plz call another taxi and we were on our way. 

Everything went smoothly. Our hotel is on the. 6th floor 

Reception 

Tiny elevator for two

View from our window. 

Bathroom photos. It's not s bad one. But the small shower is really small and Malcolm will like the plumbing/ pipes

Our hotel is very close to the fancy hotel that Martin Sheen and his friends stayed in in the movie "The Way". 120 to 200 euro a night. In 15th century it was a pilgrim hospital. Now it's one of the Parsdor Hotel Chain's luxury places. 

Beautiful wisteria bushes grace the plaza

Then I saw it!!!  Can you barely see it on the other side of the fountain?

Hard to see isn't it?  So I walked around the fountain/traffic circle to confirm. 

Yes!!!!

I was on my way. Walked along a tree lined sidewalk by a river

Bikes for rent

There it is on the other side of the street. So close and I still need to go down stairs

Three weeks without fast food has been trying. There is even a drive through window. 

With digital self service ordering in almost any language 

And here it is

So good 

That I took one back to the hotel for Dad

In the afternoon, while reclining on our beds, we heard music. A concert? A parade?  We had to see.  It was a religious procession of some sort. Thirty six women were carrying this on their shoulders. They were very serious and rocked back and forth on their feet when the procession stopped

The music was supplied by a marching band - prob high school band. We couldn't see it because the procession was going over a bridge 

This all took place in front of the fancy hotel.  In this plaza is also located a well know pilgrim statue

We went looking for food and found it at a carnival in a parking lot. 

All the good kiddie rides were there including the Wild West Bronco Bulls which were throwing kids all over

And the food truck!  Not very good canned sausages heated up in hot oil and French fries

Fresh churros made on site and covered with chocolate 

And chocolate covered waffles - take heed, Jessica. 

And so went first of two days in Leon.