Day 23 - Leon to Villar de Mazarife - 12.75 miles

Happy Anniversary to us!!!!! 34 wonderful years married to my husband!

Our walk today was out of Leon. We had been warned that it was not a city you wanted to walk out of alone (especially after Friday night). So we met at the Cathedral at 7am, and headed out as a big group. I did pass quite of few groups of still drunk youths as I was heading there. My hotel was much further than most of the others I was meeting, so I got to see it a bit more.

Anyway, it was quite a long walk out of the city of Leon and through much of the same industrial stuff we walked past coming in. Right after the town of La Virgen the route split. Much of our group went in one direction, while K, J, and I took the alternate route to our town. They are exactly the same distance of walking for the next few days, but far apart until they come together again in Astorga tomorrow. It's a small hostel with lots of fun atmosphere. There is a big bunk room upstairs and then the private rooms downstairs. They offered to make a pilgrim paella meal for dinner and then the buffet breakfast tomorrow am. While I was hanging around I met a very friendly and smiley Italian man coming in and talked to him. He was a policeman in Vicenza for many years! It is amazing how small the world is sometimes.

So this was my room when I arrived today - I felt like I was at a Camino spa!😉. We had a drastic temperature change once we arrived as it is now super windy and cold!!! They offered to wash your laundry and then we hung them out to dry. By the time I woke up from my nap, I was afraid my clothes were blown all the way back to Leon!

Tomorrow we enter Astoria, which is known for chocolate throughout history. We will walk fast to visit the Chocolate Museo (with tastings at the end!)