MeAndering the Camino

Reading lots of posts on Camino blogs about people dealing with insomnia. Something we all marcel at given how exhausted we are when we reach the end of the walking day. For me its been more about things hurting which wake me up but have felt rested and anxious to get going the next morning. Since the Albergue’s need you to vacate by 8:00 every morning, I checked into a regular hotel yesterday. Slept almost 9 hours plus took a nap this afternoon and am ready to go to bed at 8:45!

Enjoyed the day and even managed to attend the Mass at noon in the Gothic Cathedral! During lunch I was reading about Leon’s cathedral, history and development. The cathedral is one of the finest examples of Medieval stained glass. They are amazing. 1800 sq meters (19000 sq ft) of stained glass! I always marvel at these cathedrals. Not just as religious buildings but of human made structures soaring towards the heavens, built in an era that had no machinery. Everything built, carried and placed by human hands. Then I find myself looking at the intricacies of stone work and the precision of placement so the weight of all the stone didn’t crumble down on the worshippers without the use of a computer, calculator or mechanical devices.

The weather has turned across northern Spain and I am thankful to be heading out from Leon tomorrow. Seeing the posts of others who are a couple day behind me, are surprising. Some of the gentle creeks or streams I passed and crossed on Tuesday or Wednesday were more hazards to ford on Friday and Saturday. The statue of “El Peregrino” in Plaza San Marcos, conveys what many are feeling and I am sure will be and has been me! Regardless, looking forward to next two weeks!