I arrived 'in country' almost a week ago: Madrid airport. First challenge? Get the attention of a Metro official to get a ticket to the train station. This was almost not possible when there were so many buxom young Ladies with tights in line. Well, I don't blame him too much. At the train station, my second challenge was to get the attention of a totally disinterested official train sitting at the information booth ? (Like, what are they there for? Look, I'm a progressive, but I draw a line. Some jobs just shouldn't be cradle to grave. Wait, is that a progressive position?) I finally got his attention, got a ticket, got onboard, and I was on my way to Leon, via Valladolid.
I arrived in Leon late, and sleepy as I was, opted to hotel room at the Affonsov. The next morning, since the bus and train station are near each other in Leon, I checked schedules and took the bus to Astorga where I had a small breakfast (desayuno) and I was soon, finally, on my way.
It was a pleasant walk out of town on a path next to the road. It was an incredibly beautiful day, light wind, sunny, and I made great time, passing folks With An 'Buenos dias' and 'Buen Camino'. My legs in such great shape that I passed Rabanal for the next village up the mountain, Foncebadón.
Brierley's description of the town is 'semi-abandoned' and 'stirring back to life.' Well, the town was full. It has stirred back to life. There were four albergues and an inn, and they were all full. The yoga albergue, however, had tents out back for any overflow. I took it and crawled in one just as the rain started and the wind picked up. I do not think it got to gale, but it pushed the walls of the tent pretty hard. Interesting evening, let's leave it at that. The wind and rain stopped around 3 and I was ready to get out of Dodge at 5.
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