Day 27 - Leon - 28 September, 2014

Rest Day.

Feelings: Henk - Relaxed, Neil - Relaxed, Di - Relaxed

We are feeling so lucky. Before breakfast we went to San Isodoro Church, a Romanesque church, for the 7.30 am service. It was a pilgrims' mass and there were only six of us. The priest was lovely and spoke very slow Spanish so we were able to pick up some of what he said. We were given a special blessing at the end of the service. 

After a slow breakfast we spent part of the morning visiting Leon Cathedral and then got involved in the activities of the San Froilan Festival which is held in the old city. San Froilan is the Patron Saint of the City. 

Leon Cathedral is very impressive with its beautiful stained glass windows. The audio guide was excellent in explaining the history of gothic architecture as well as the building of the cathedral and its subsequent restoration in the 1800's. It's hard to believe something built in the late 1300's is still standing and in such good condition. 

When we emerged from the cathedral the festivities were beginning. Throughout the inner city there were processions, formal celebrations with dignitaries, folk dancing, traditional bands and singing. It was being televised. The streets were very crowded with many dressed in either traditional Spanish or medieval costumes. They were colourful and spectacular. 

The highlight was at lunch time with the flag carrying procession with each region around Leon representing their district.  We estimated that there must have been more than 100 groups parading through the old town. Many people were dressed in traditional costume carrying their distinctive flag on large, heavy flagpoles. The men wore leather harnesses to carry the pole. 

We stood near a wire which ran high between two buildings and across the processional street. As the flag bearers came near the wire they had to manipulate the pole under it. There were a number of close calls with the crowd cheering them on. A crowd favourite were the groups dressed as Roman and medieval soldiers. They tramped their way through street. 

We saw Aussie Claire in the crowd. She was back into her peregrino clothes and was about to catch a bus to La Vergen del Camino to recommence her walk. 

We met Jim, the American (if you have a problem, just throw money!) outside Leon Cathedral and found an outdoor cafe on one of the crowded streets. We had a very tasty lunch. 

By coincidence, John and Linda walked past. They arrived in Leon late in the morning. We made arrangements to meet outside the large Leon Cathedral door at seven o'clock so we could catch up with each other over dinner. 

Dinner was at a very popular bar. It was good to meet up with John and Linda and compare our walking stories. We are now one day ahead of them but this may change over the next two weeks. If we don't see each other again we will get a chance at Santiago de Compostela. 

It was an amazing rest day.