April 14, 2017
I wish we could have short days like this every day. We left Mansilla at 7am, decided would grab breakfast after the first hour and then make the final push to Leon. Since it was Good Friday, we had to rush to town before the beds filled up. We managed to arrive around 11:30am. The albergue opened at 11 and was already filling up quickly. With 150+ beds it was a snug fit.
We all went to get some lunch and then headed to the cathedral. Lunch was hilarious because everyone, all 8 of us ordered burgers– haha!
We then headed to the Cathedral. It was incredible- per usual. My heart pounded when I would look up to see the light pouring in through the stained glass. After the Cathedral we stopped to get ice cream. Gosh I am going go through such bad sugar withdrawal when I go home!
The rest of the day couldn’t have been more amazing. We went to get drinks and this hole in the wall bar in a tiny alleyway. I was able to order a glass of wine and a tapas for €1. Insanely cheap!
We then went to the town square area to watch the procession. We arrive there around 4-5 and didn’t leave until 8pm. We just sat there drinking wine and having wonderful, profound conversations.
I specifically loved talking with Lucy (from England, who I met when I met Matej) and Kristine (from Ireland.) I was able to open up to them about my struggles with self mutilation. It the first day I wore a tank top that showed my scars on my arms. I am usually very conscious of making sure they are covered but this day I felt accepted no matter the “mistakes” I made growing up. We all 3 shared our “mental” struggles and ways we coped, healthy and not so healthy .The conversations we had will stay with me forever.
I even had the pleasure of showing Christian (a pilgrim from Spain) some yoga poses. It was so exhilarating teaches someone else Bikram poses and the theory behind why Bikram is a different form of yoga. Jamey and I do Bikram all the time at home. It is a form of therapy for us, and very efficient at healing our bodies– inside and out. After we finished, I knew that is a dream of mine- being a yoga instructor.
Good night world!
The gang in the town square before the procession.
Ice cream!!!
That gothic architecture!
So much stained glass!
And again, more glass. Doesn’t even do it justice 😩
Everyone with their burgers! Haha
Leon is just around the corner!
-Ashley
El Camino Chronicles 
CHRIST HAS RISEN ….HE HAS RISEN INDEED (Russian Orthodox greeting and reply) 150 years ago we bought alaska from the Russians Russians and Spain faced off in California In High school I read in Spanish a true story of a Russian Aristcrat came from Alaska to California and fell in love with the Presido commander daughter before he could marry her he had to get the Czars permission (trip across ..Siberia) She waited and waited for his return finaly going into a convet where she prayed for him …………years later she learned he had died in Siberia
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Oh my goodness! What a story! Thank you for sharing and HAPPY EASTER!
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Love and hugs to you, my Dear!
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