Leon

el parque del cid

calle del cid

cathedral

Hola todo,

Yesterday I went to Leon for a day trip. The city of Leon is a little over an hour away. Historically Leon is important for two reasons one is El Cid was suppose to have been born directly outside the city. The second reason being it is a stop on the "camino de santiago". The walk is a historical religious pilgrimage to Santiago or St. James. The original route has a stop in Leon, the coastal route goes directly through Oviedo. There are still thousands of people who do the pilgrimage many who we see here in Oveido as they stop here for a night. For more information on the walk go here.

When we got to Leon we had to cross the river and on the other side was a huge market, it was better than the market in Oviedo but not the best in Europe that is for sure. We wandered up the streets to the Cathedral and inside. Since it was a Sunday not everything was open but we wandered. We had amazing weather so it was nice to see the city and all that is there.

For everyone's information about my mountain climb the other day. The peak was 12,000 feet (approx) and Oviedo is about 800 feet. So I walked seriously up a mountain. Yes I still feel it in my legs and butt.

Random Thoughts

-A place is considered a city when it has a cathedral in it. It is a pueblo when it does not.

-Everyone has a dog. But if the PETA existed here (which I just found out they do) they would be ashamed. From many stories and things I have seen most people treat their dogs like an animal. They forget to walk it and let it go on the floor in their house. I have seen kicking, pulling, hitting with canes. I think I have seen more pet abuse here than I ever have in the United States. Granted I am sure there are plenty of animal lovers here.

-All the children are so well dressed. I am convinced they all look like they just stepped off a Ralph Lauren photo shoot. I don't understand it. Okay so they have better style but here is my practical question. Why would a mother send her kid to the playground or allow them to kick around a soccer ball in their pressed khaki pants and their shiny black leather dress shoes!? I guess since they aren't big on material objects they just show off their well dressed kids.


Adios!