264 km to Santiago de Compostela
Whatever the doctor did to me yesterday seems to be working very well. The nausea is gone and I can walk reasonably well though a little tipsy occasionally. Still, we are going to stay in Astorga another day.
The church of San Bartolomé is next door to our hotel. It is the oldest church in Astorga, from the XI century though additions and enhancement were made on the XIV and XVI centuries. The altar is churrigueresque and you can appreciate it in the attached picture ( see other post for today). We attended Sunday mass there and were impressed by the choir and the number of children and teens. Sadly, often we found only older people in Spain's churches.
Later walking in the plaza I approached a pilgrim just to chat and wish a Buen Camino (the standard pilgrim greeting). Well, she happened to be Karen, a lady I befriended months ago in the pilgrim's forum. She asked where we were from and when we answered Canada she said Gil! What a surprise. She Is delightful, we had lunch with her and later on we saw her again. I would not be surprised if we become life long friends.
Later in the afternoon we were in our hotel when we heard drums. We went out to have a look and there was another concert of brass and drum bands from cofradias (religious brotherhoods). There were 6 or 8 bands, a couple with more than 75 members. The bands included men and women, adults, teens and even little kids, all with very elaborate uniforms. They perform this concerts as practice for the Easter parades that precede Good Friday.
It was an interesting and rewarding day in el Camino (even if we are not walking).
San Bartolomeo, apostle of Jesus, friend of Santiago, pray for us.
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