Day One - Leon to Villas de Mazarif

Jo, Dawn and I met in Leon, a small Spanish city with a lovely old town and squares highlighted by a Gothic church and monuments to Gaudi. The squares were alive with Peregrinos and locals, and we enjoyed a great evening where we met for the first time, drank some Mojitos, wine and had a most enjoyable meal. Each of us felt responsible for being packed and ready to go early a.m. for our first day of walking. So after a quick trip to the grocery store to stock up with some snacks for the day ahead, we said good night.

Woke up early, dressed, prepared feet with powders, creams, tapes and moleskin and headed out of Hotel Paris on the Camino de Santiago before 0700. Pilgrims were enroute everywhere and we eventually linked up with some Spanish women who had no problem asking the local workers ¨which way to the camino?¨ We eventually wound our way out of the suburbs and found a cafe to have a cafe con leche and sandwiches to go.

Today we walked alongside farm fields, and through two small towns where we stopped and had our lunch. We arrived at Villas de Mazarif, a small town on a high plateau. Tio Pepe refugio had done a good job of marketing about their ¨rooms for 3¨. We happily checked in to this lively little place. Tio Pepe has a bar, restaurant, several rooms - we are now sharing with a fellow Peregrino from Germany, and a nice courtyard to hang out laundry. One ¨caballero¨on horseback arrived to stay the night and rest his much loved horse. The town is small, very rustic but everywhere we go people wish us ¨buen Camino¨and they are delighted when we speak in Spanish. Jo has won the award for the best Spanish and has also become the trip ¨nurse¨. I, am the wine buyer and the local expert on all things related to arranging the delivery of some of our items to the next town. We have decided that anything extra can be shipped ahead to lighten our loads...and hopefully keep us all happy and healthy. Dawn is in charge of our diversions. She has created some of the best games to keep us busy. Most involve checking out the local men to ensure we don´t miss the next Antonio Banderas look alike. Buen camino to all of our friends! No photos possible tonight...but check back as we promise to include some shots of this scenic part of Spain. Adios muchachas!