Mio el Camino de Santiago de Compostela -15

Day 15 Astorga --> Villafranca

From Astorga, I chose to take the route close to the classic path- LE142 up to Ponferrada. I could say it's a mountainous route.

The day started out sunny but as the road ascended, the sky turned cloudy and there was snow on top of the mountain. Of course, it's cold. After consecutive days of mostly flat roads with warm weather, now I got the chance to use the snowboarding gloves I bought in Burgos. I never imagined how comforting it was to put on gloves that could keep your hands warm.

I stopped by the famed Cruz de Ferro on top of the mountain. The area surrounding this high post topped with a crucifix was covered with snow. I saw no pilgrims in the nearby rest area. Well, with the snow and cold weather, who would be sitting up here?

As I went downhill, the weather also improved. By the time I was in Ponferrada, it has turned into a sunny day. I went to the information center for a stamp. I asked what time it was because I was confused. Apparently, sometime during the weekend while I was in Leon, the daylight savings time went into effect and the time now is 1 hour advanced. So the truth was, there is no time zone change as I first thought.

Ponferrada was a rather big city. I was just passing by to get into my final destination for the day but getting out of it was difficult. The road names or route numbers tend to change or simply disappear. I found myself suddenly unsure of where I was until I saw the Camino road shell signs reassuring me that I was heading to the right direction. Well, the good thing with being on a bicycle is that it is easier to go back and retrace the path. Although I seldom did that. In fact, I only did that once in Logroño. That was because it was obvious I was on the wrong direction.

When I finally reached Villafranca a few hours later, I was given a room numbered 104 again for the third time in this journey. Hmmm...

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Mio el Camino de Santiago de Compostela -14

Day 14 Leon --> Astorga

The shortest segment of my travel.

Early along the way, I stopped at a church in La Virgen del Camino which was said to be a miraculous site. The church was unique and probably the most modern church I saw in my entire pilgrimage. I got inside and spent a few minutes. After getting a stamp on my credencial at the souvenir shop, I went on.

But, with the strong wind, it took me longer to reach Astorga than I had planned. So I took time, I was not in a hurry. Besides, my left ankle has not fully recovered yet. I thought I met a lot of walking pilgrims today. Maybe because my pace was not that faster than walking. If my ankle was not hurt, maybe I tried walking my route today.

I arrived in Astorga around noontime. It was a small but beautiful town with historic buildings. Even the town hall looked like an old Gothic cathedral. After checking in my stuff at the first albergue I saw, I was immediately back on my bicycle and took a general view of the town before eating my lunch.

I went to the cathedral after my late lunch but it's already closed. I thought I still have about an hour before the closing time so I checked with the person at the ticket office but he confirmed that it was indeed closed. I looked my watch and thought that this region must be 1-hour advance than eastern Spain.

So anyway, I walked around the town, taking pictures here and there, and then stumbled on a little church. I went in and took a picture of the altar. On my way out, I saw that the back of the church was a wall of bars. Behind the bars were praying nuns. I realized it was a church run by those nuns. I was probably blocking them pray while I stood taking pictures in the middle of the isle. When I exited the little but beautiful church, I made sure I did not show my face to the nuns.

It was getting late and a little cold although the sun still has a few more minutes to set. I went back to the albergue and spent the rest of my day there. The albergue was on top of the hill and the view from my room was great. While enjoying the view, I immersed myself to the rays of the setting sun coming in through the window.

I took a shower in the communal room before retiring to bed.

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