The old city wall on the west side of Mansilla.

The first time I’ve seen a stork on the ground. It was wading through this patch of grass as if it were a pond.

Took this just for the fun of it. Carolina Motor, a car dealership outside of León that could just as easily be located in my hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina in the U.S.

“Educational quality = Intellectual quality.” Perhaps, but I’m not sure the causal relationship proves a strict one. Even so, I appreciate the intent to elevate the level of public discourse through graffiti.

A section of the Roman wall that once surrounded the city of León.

My first real-life encounter with a building by Modernist architect Antoni Gaudi. He is most famous for the cathedral in Barcelona. This one in León was built as a house in the early 1890s and is now used by the bank Caja España. He also designed the Episcopal Palace in Astorga, where I will be a few days from now.

Found an excellent sombreroria while exploring León. The shopkeeper was delighted to learn that I live in St. Louis. “My sister lives in Springfield!,” she told me in Spanish, and proceeded to show me photos of her family. She allowed me to practice my Spanish and told me more hoping to visit her sister next year. Even so, no special discount for pilgrims. But the price was good, the hat is fine, and I’m happy to have a Panama again.

My first look at the cathedral in León. Will visit inside tomorrow.

It was so good to catch up with Dana and Andy. Lost the chance to walk together when I took an extra day to explore Burgos. I’m hanging back again to explore León, so I’ll hope to see them again in Santiago.

I caught up with Andy, Dana, and other friends from Orrison in León. A third of the day we spend walking the Camino. Another third, we spend talking about it, usually over cervezas or tintos.