Just a thing or two

A few little notes since we reluctantly left our luxury hotel (without paying...whoops. Good thing mama fixed it!) and walked out of León with our awesome, hilarious Aussie friend Sarah. 

That day we did 20 km through boring, featureless landscape to a teeny weeny random town called villa de Mazarife. The albergue there had a tiny, freezing, totally unfiltered pool that Sarah and I hopped in. Lauren was more intelligent and watched from the sidelines haha. And she poked my blister with a needle! That is true friendship.

The next day Lauren found her true home 15 km in at the Albergue Verde, a total hippy commune in Hospital de Orbegos 

with delicious veggie menu and hour long yoga where Michu the Spanish swami owner made you wiggle your toes and thank the universe. The food and atmosphere were amazing and lots of tea! The hippies made brownies for dessert but they were shockingly drug free. Go figure. 

The delicious pumpkin risotto

The Lauren in her natural habitat trying to blend in so I wouldn't make leave.

On the way into Astorga the next day, we stopped briefly at the next hippy locale, Davíd's food stand. He had everything--fruit, fresh juice, peanut butter, just that little touch of crazy that every camino hermit needs. Lots of flies, obviously. A woman who had stayed over in his rude hut... He was charming and odd and a lot of fun. Apparently Davíd lived in the big city until he realized all is vanity and ran into the hills. He has now served passing pilgrims from his stand for 6 years. 

We past through Astorga and saw the very weird Cathedral there as well as another Gaudi building--probably my favorite by him so far! The cathedral was a strange, small mishmash and we were hungry so I didn't give it much of a chance. Interesting columns, though. You can tell Astorga is trying to be vibrant and modern and is succeeding. 

Gaudi

Funny little church

Today we began in Murila de Rechivaldi (right? Isn't that what it was called? In Spanish that means the middle of nowhere outside Astorga with cute albergue and nothing to do). We walked up into the hills, relieved for mountain views and a little green at last! Passing through Rabanal, we made the difficult climb up to the mountain town of Foncebadón. We were very tired.

Ah how the days go! Grateful for health and sunshine and pretty views! Onwards!