First impressions of Leon were very very good. We entered from the park area that follows the Rio Bernesga and you could tell from the meticulous way staff were cleaning leaves and debris, the manicured hedges and trees and the way playground and exercise equipment perfectly matched the setting, that this City was a proud and well maintained one.
According to the guide book, Leon began as a Roman military encampment in 29CE, and shortly after became a permanent settlement to protect the gold they were pillaging from Galatia to the west. Say what you will about the invading Romans, but they set out the urban framework and infrastructure for much of Europe that gives it the current charm and longevity. With the exception of Avenue Ordono that leads you into the old section, the streets are narrow with low rise stone buildings that are perfectly maintained even though they are hundreds of years old.
Judy, Nick, Mary Lou and I headed directly to the hotel we had booked for the night. Will had opted to stay at the convent, which ended up being a bit of an experience for him as those nuns " don't take guff". Assigned rooms, eating times, strict curfews, and not even married couples are allowed to sleep in the same room, just in case they might think of partaking in some nuferious activity. Strictly a no boinking zone I guess. We had a bit of trouble finding the hotel, but that worked out for the best as we stumbled on the best bakery cafe I have ever been in. There is no sense in me ever eating another doughnut, as I found the holy grail there. Sorry Tim's, but never again.
The gothic Leon cathedral is simply spectacular. Throughout Europe these things took hundreds of years to build, but apparently this was was done in a record hundred years. Look back at the pictures from earlier posts. We had been given a hot tip that it was best to see the cathedral before it closed for the afternoon at 1:00 as the early daylight shows off much of the church's features. So off we headed.
The others always get the self guided tour, but as always I skip it as my viewing is under ten minutes. Quick look at the architectural differences from other cathedrals, check out the stained glass windows which still fascinate me no matter how many I see, scan for any other unique features, then I am out of there to sip a beer or coffee while waiting for the rest. Right on que I finished and headed out the exit as planned. Then as the door closed behind me I heard it latch and there I was in pitch black. WT.... Out came the iPhone to give a little light and there I was trapped in a 5 x 10 foot former exit, with all doors locked from the outside. My first thought was " nice trap big guy". Then when I remembered we were good with each other, and this was my own dumb ass move, it was time to find a way out. After an anxious minute, in the end, I simply beat on the door to the inside of the church until a surprised kind hearted and inquisitive lady gently pushed open the door. Gracias seniora.
The afternoon was spent searching out a number of items lost or forgotten elsewhere, and finding some medical attention for three of the four of us. Judy for bug bites, Mary Lou for toenails and me for groin, calf strain and blisters. After three tries we ended up at the right place and lined up for service. A long story short, all needs were taken care of and there was no hernia. Rest, relaxation and medications. We were all good to go.
Spain does not have the same requirement for prescriptions as we do in North America. Many of the medications we have to see a Dr for are over the counter here. Constipated, bam, the pharmacist has a pill for you. Dizzy, bam, they have one for that too. How about some hydrocortisone. And if you are in pain, bam bam, here is some 600 mg of ibprophen. Oh, and that will be 1.80€.
All in all this was a great day, and this would be a place to come back and visit someday. But in the morning we would meet at breakfast and map out a strategy for finishing the walk. We were running out of time.
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