Days 19,20, and 21 Calzadilla de Los Hermanillos- Hospital de Orbigo

Day 19 Calzadilla de Los Hermanillos a Mansilla de las Mulas

This section was different in that it had now towns to pass through. It was countryside for 27 km straight. It was home to the best preserved stretch of Roman road. As the guidebooks say, Roman soldiers traversing this road would be seeing and walking on the same path you are. At one point, picture above, the government has fenced off a section of the old Roman road  to preserve it. There was a sign with a cross sectio of how they used to pave their roads. 

We were never able to buy a proper guide book, but someone gave us an old book from 2011. Since then the trail changed a bit so we got lost for a little while. After sorting out the way we found our way into Mansilla which comes from "hand in saddle."  We stayed in a wonderful refuge with a center courtyard. 

We made hot chocolate and planned out the rest of our trip. We are tryng to hike longer and save time so we can make it to Finisterra, or the westernmost coast. This is three long days past Santiago and we can just do it if our bodies will hold out. 

Day 20 Mansiola de las Mulas a Leon 

We had rain the next morning. Above is a picture of the homemade gators I make for Arwyn from grocery bags and duct tape. It was an ugly walk through the rain and the industrial outskirts of the big city. We stayed in a monastery and were separated into men's and women's dorms. When we are in big cities we always look for a doner kebab shop. Success!!!!!

Leon was another beautiful walled city with amazing history. The history dates back to before Roman times. There were amazing buildings every where and a great cathedral. 

We had a good day and stocked up on soap and other things you need to get in the big city. 

Day 21  Leon a Hospital de Órbigo

We hiked out of Leon in the dark at 0630. Vendors were setting up for a market in front of the cathedral. 

We made it out of the city and started into some beautiful countryside. We passed over a few freeways and I took note of the Spanish rush hour traffic. 

We walked 37 km today so it was a tough one. We walked a large portion of it with a friend named Gisburt from Gemany. He walks extremely fast and we talked about many things so the time passed quickly. We are now working our way towards some mountains in the distance. We know by judging the disance and from our guide that we will reach them in two day's time. For now, we just watch the. Slowly get bigger.  We stopped next to a corn field and ate a sandwich with tomatoes and an avacado which was a treat. The grocer who sold them to me was overly proud that the tomatoes were from his garden. Rightly so too, they were great. 

Finally, after starting at 0630 as I said, we reached  Hospital de Órtiga at about 4 pm. To get to the town your walk across a 19 arch stone brigade from the 13 th c. The bridge had some crazy knight defend it for about 40 days to restore his honor. He had challenged all the knights of Europe to try and cross the bridge and many jousting battlers were fought. He did win his honor back in the end and this story is said to be the inspiration for Don Quixote. 

We are now in an albergue near the church steeple you see in the picture. It is a nice one. I did my laundry out back on the wash board and cooked dinner with the other pilgrims. Now I am surrounded by the sounds of snoring once again from my 20+ roommates.  

To all our friends and family, we miss you all. We look forward so much to the months to come where we can catch up on the lost time. Thanks to all those who have been following the blog and always feel free to leave comments as they are very motivating for us. Goodnight to all.