Day 32. Mansilla de las Mullas to Leon 18.6 km.

Since my knees have been sore, I took the bus to Leon.  It cost less than 2 euros.  The bus had plenty of pilgrims, some wounded and some who did not want to walk the unattractive stage of the camino. The trail is along the industrial part of Leon.  Dick decided to walk and he enjoyed the walk with two Spanish pilgrims, Mariano and Ana.

I arrived at the station and headed to the Parador.  it was a lovely walk following the river.

I was amazed to see this elegant, massive building.

I arrived at 10 and was fortunate to be checked right in.  I had lunch with Susan and Pat who had been in Leon for their third day.  Susan is recuperating from her leg sore and they were in a pension for two nights.  I also ran into our old gang, Peter, Erik, Jeff and Chris.  I love running into,pilgrims met earlier.  The Danish brothers were going home after a 10 day walk.  Val had walked on.

I iced my knees and had my legs up.  When Dick arrived he was exhausted and had a two hour bath.  He was ready to turn in but I dragged  him to go tapa bar hopping.  The town is know for its tapas.  We headed towards the cathedral and learned the town fiesta was coming up and already the medieval fair was set up and tents were set up all over town for tapas.  We listened to Will Nelson, of all people .  His music was blasting from a stage all set up for live music at the town plaza.

We ran into German Erich and Manfred and had big hugs for them at a tapa bar.  Dick would order a corto beer and wine and free tapas came with them.  We did these all night until we were ready for bed.  I was a bit tipsy and with a bum knee had to hang on to Dick for dear life and walk back to the Parador.  We walked a bit with a Spamish lady when we asked for directions.

The Parador is so gorgeous.  It is a massive building with a museum, cloister, chapel, library etc.  it has been a monastery, pilgrim hospital and prison during the civil war.