Arrival into Leon, our starting point

I have traveled to Spain several times, and it never ceases to amaze me how the Spanish people know how to enjoy life. No matter which village, town or city, no matter what day of the week, the streets, bars and restaurants  are filled with people every evening. Their culture is such a wonderfully social one. The days are always long, with the sun still shining at 9:30opm (it is not summer yet), what a wonderful contrast to Sydney, where it was already dark before 6pm when I left the other day. Even though it is quite a lot cooler here, people just rug up and are out on the streets walking, talking, eating, drinking and socialising.

I arrived in the afternoon and found all the shops and services closed for the lunch period (from 2pm to 5pm), except the bars and restaurants. Everything opens again from 5pm till 9 or 9:30pm, so the days become long where a lot of activity can fit into one day. The evening meal is eaten after 9.30pm and the streets are full of activity until past midnight, including small children playing on the streets. Viva! The Spanish people know how to live life!

Leon is one of the most historic towns of Old Castile, with a history spanning from the 11th Century and boasting the beautiful and magnificent Basilica de San Isidoro.  This is considered to be one of the greatest Romanesque treasures along the Pilgrim's Way, and is one of the best examples of a Gothic Cathedral in Spain. Featuring vaulted ceilings, magnificent stained glass windows and flying buttresses.

We will spend some time exploring this beautiful town, once the group of Women's Own Adventure ladies all arrive in the next day or two, before setting off on the start of our Pilgrim's Walk.

- signing off from Marika - www.womensownadventure.com.au