Hospital de Orbigo to Foncebadon

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” – Dalai Lama

May 25 Hospital de Orbigo to Santa Catalina

Today’s miles – 16.8 Total miles 332.1

Elizabeth: Last night we watched local kids practice for a medieval festival taking place next weekend here in Hospital de Orbigo. They are of all ages and it was 9:30PM. It doesn’t get dark here until after 10PM.

To read more about a famous Spanish knight, Don Suero, who, with just 9 other men, in the early 1400’s, kept anyone from passing over Hospital de Orbigo’s bridge, for 30 days!! Click this link

On the way to Astorga we stopped at our “friend’s” place, Senor Perez. We first met him in 2019 and saw him again last year. We had sent him, at his request, an Arizona Cardinals tee shirt after 2019 and pictures of our visits in the past. Today, randomly, believe it or not, he was wearing our AZ Cards tee shirt!! He’s so happy to give you a little flat bread he makes in his large Adobe style wood fired pizza oven. He made us fresh OJ, looked all over his property to find the 5 newborn kittens he has but mama gato/cat had apparently moved them and he shaved a bit of Iberico pig, prosciutto, from a pig’s leg he has in a back shed! We got the typical European kiss on both cheeks when leaving. We hope to see him again.

Local young folks practicing dances at 9:30PM
The event coming to town a week after were there
My pedicure is holding up! Matches the painted arrow on the pavement
Senor Perez with his AZ Cards tee shirt!
A pic of E, in n 2019, on Senor Parez’s wall!
And a pic of he and I together (see red arrow)
All 4 of us with him this year!

Astorga, which we go through on our way to Santa Catalina de Somoza tonight, is supposedly the European birthplace of chocolate! Spanish explorers brought chocolate to Europe 500 years ago, introducing cocoa mixed with sugar. I have been a fan of the largest chocolate manufacturer here, Valor, for years.

C & C found a great restaurant in the main square/ Plaza Mayor in Astorga and we all had beers, some food and, two hours later, finally got up from the table! ; ) We toured the Cathedral and then we headed out of town to a new (to us) place to stay. Hostal Rural Via Avis was a recommendation from another pilgrim. It’s awesome. The rooms are named for birds. Cooper and Chelsea got the Aguila (Eagle) room. There’s a beautiful common room with beer, wine and snacks you pay for on the honor system. The town of 45 people overlooks a lovely countryside and has three bars!

E and Cooper
Gary
Stone arrow
G and the mountain climb, in background, starting tomorrow
G, C & C w/random pilgrim at a great donation rest stop
Everyone at the stop were happy to out of the sun for bit
Leaving the rest stop
Astorga in distance, G in blue

G made a buddy today!
Astorga Cathedral
Astorga Plaza Mayor
Great wall art, G w/green backpack
Gaudi built this Palace in Astorga, late 1800’s
Cathedral of Santa Maria de Astorga built in the 1400’s
The detailed carvings of the walnut choir seats
2000+ pipes in this organ!
Hostal Rural Via Avis’ common room
C & C’s Eagle room

After we had a snack before heading back for bed at about 8pm, Cooper decided to take a little walk to the river just below Via Avis to add to his 1000 kilometer challenge and Gary said he will leave early in the AM to go the 10+ miles to Foncebedon on a walk by himself tomorrow. He will check into our lodging, drop his pack, and then start walking backwards to meet me, Chelsea and Cooper. He said he would take my pack up the hill into Foncebedon for me. C, C and I will have coffee, fresh juice and toast (included with our rooms) at 7:30AM before heading out.

The following day we will all leave early to be at Cruz de Faro (the iron cross) for sunrise. I am carrying two items for two women who have beaten cancer and I will drop the items at the cross to leave all that negative energy there.

A strong person knows they have strength enough for the journey, but a person of strength knows it is in the journey where they will become strong. – Unknown.

May 26 Santa Catalina to Foncebadon

Today’s miles – 10.6 Total miles 342.7

Elizabeth: Gary decided to leave early and do a sunrise walk alone this morning. He ended up finishing the 10.6 miles by 11AM in Foncebadon and had several hours to talk to his family in Vermont and get updates on his mom who is being overseen by Hospice at her assisted living home. We can not thank his two sisters in VT and his brother in Maine, for visiting Mom so often : )

I left alone, as well this AM, after C & C and I enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing and welcoming breakfast at Hostel Rural Via Avis. Carlos and his wife had many candles lit and soft music in the breakfast room. Peaceful way to start the day🙏 Definitely recommend this place!

I did the first 3 miles by myself (not alone on the path, just not joined by my family). I enjoyed the inner reflection time. Got another unique and fun wax stamp (see picture) in my credential just before the local authorities showed up…I am not sure why they were there… but I high tailed it out of there for fear of a delay in my already late start.

Via Avis breakfast location
Translation – next slide
A simple, painted Camino shell in an ancient wall
Sunrise in Somoza
Local man selling his walking sticks and more on The Way.
A simple smile can make one’s day on the Camino
E w/ Tyson the black lab & his owner doing wax sellos (stamps)
My chosen wax stamp, & a couple more E got today
Teepee pilgrim accommodations & cows playing soccer??
Great cafe’s

Chelsea & Cooper walked the first 3 miles together. They met up with me at a cafe in the first town. We walked the middle 4 miles all three of us, had a great stop to get a snack and do some stretching/yoga on a lawn and attend a Sunday mid-day mass. I left by myself, out of Rabanal. OK, to be honest, I skipped out on half the church service 🤫 I walked the last 3 miles into Foncebadon and met Gary, arriving around 2:45pm. The kids were not far behind. Both Gary and the kids lit candles at the church, at different times, for Gary’s mom.

The mountain views, stone path and walking through some forested areas, with a little vertical, were all welcome additions to today’s experiences. Foncebadon is at 4,600 feet in elevation. There is still snow visible on surrounding peaks.

We all had homemade pizza as our main meal at the end of our day and planned our tomorrow morning’s schedule: start walking at 5:45AM heading up hill for 1.25 miles to Cruz de Ferro (iron cross) for sunrise.