A Really Nice Birthday

Today was a great day to have a birthday. Since we didn't have to walk, we "slept in" (I was up at 7) and rolled down to breakfast about 8:30. Note to self, there was bacon for breakfast, but I'm going to have to teach the Spanish how to do bacon properly. And biscuits, and gravy, and grits, just for good measure.

My folks and I went in together on my birthday present, and we bought me a new watch...which wasn't working, so we had to take it back. Of course, the watch shop needed us to leave it for a while which necessitated another two-mile round trip to the store (on foot of course) in the afternoon. At least the walk was along the beautiful river. The city has done a fantastic job of honoring their history through architecture while designing equally stunning contemporary buildings and open spaces. I could live in León.

Dad's left ankle was about twice the size of his right one this morning, so he wanted to go back to the doctor. Score another one for the Spanish medical system: we walked in to the urgent care, they sent us up immediately to the doctor, who looked at Dad wrote a prescription, and told him that he was done walking the Camino. No charge, and we were out in 15 minutes. Needless to say, we're all very bummed about Dad not being able to walk, but he's going to meet us, either via train, or bus, or car where we stop every night. The doctor told him that he can walk around whatever town we're in a little bit, but no distance for as much as 15 days.

This afternoon, the hotel surprised me by bringing a bottle of champagne to my room. I can only assume it was because of my birthday, and Mom and Dad and I sat on my balcony overlooking the river while we enjoyed the treat. Then we went down to our three-course lunch, and by the time we got through that, a retreat to the room to vegetate was in order.

The cool thing about Spain is that it stays light very late. It is nearly 10:30 at night and the sun has just set. This means you can go out do stuff that requires daylight quite late in the day, so after I picked up my watch, we walked over the old part of León to see the sights. It turns out the old city walls are Roman, and still there, the Cathedral is Gothic, and impressive, and the Bishop's Palace looks like it belongs in Bavaria. Pictures attached. For my part, I find the Roman stuff the most fascinating.

It's been a good day, but it's close to time to go to bed. For a non-walking day, I still managed to do about seven miles...in flip-flops. Probably not ideal, but at least my ankles are still their normal size. So far. Tomorrow we catch the train to Ponferrada where we are supposedly staying in a hotel near the Templar Castle.