Astorga A Lovely City

I woke up this morning about 5 am and couldn't go back to sleep. So, I turned off my phone alarm, which was set for 6 am, so it wouldn't wake anyone. Then I fell asleep and didn't wake up until 7 am, which is when I usually leave the Albergue. No big deal. But the strange thing was how few people were awake and how quiet those who were awake had been. One of the other pilgrims who was at the breakfast table when I came out commented on this phenomenon. 

I ate breakfast. They had cornflakes, but all they had was hippy milk, like soy and almond, so I had toast and coffee. I left the Albergue about 8:15 am. Here is a picture from the porch as I left. See how sunny it is. 

The terrain was different today. We had some climbing to do. Lots of winding road up and some down. 

I saw this wagon along the way. 

And this church

I had forgotten that David's hospitality stand was on this etapa. I was pleasantly surprised when I crested the hill and saw it there. David has lived outside on the porch of this abandoned building for quite a few years now. He is there year round. I think the story goes that he was lost and he found his calling in place, welcoming pilgrims and providing them with sustenance. In the time since I was last hear in 2013 he has been joined by Susie whom he introduced as his girlfriend. 

I noticed some other changes, the stand has been moved away from the abandoned building and flowering plants and trees have been planted in the space. When I commented on the changes, Susie said it is a woman's touch. They are both very good looking people. It's hard to imagine living outdoors year round and having to carry water by hand up the hill. 

Here's the stand

And here is the building in the background, with the flowers in front. 

And hear is David and Susie talking to a little boy. 

While I was posting these pictures, I just realized that they have to carry the water for the flowers up the hill too. Good Heavens, I believe I need a nap just from thinking about it. But they both look really happy. 

When you get to the top of a long hill you see this cross and then you see Astorga down below. 

At the bottom of the hill I found this guy drinking water and asked him to share. 

And this is just a random shot of these three plants in the middle of a plowed field. I call it, "Rebels."

Then as you approach Astorga you have to climb up then down the Green Monster to get over the railroad tracks. 

Then to add insult to injury, you get to climb this little hill at the end. 

I checked into the Albergue, took a shower, washed my clothes, and went to the supermercado for food. 

One of the guys in my room is weirder than me. Now that's disturbing. He was sitting on his bed in men' pajamas, top and bottoms, eating seeds when I walked into the room. Pilgrims don't normally wear pajamas. Then when I came back from grocery shopping he was reading and talking to himself out loud. Oh well, I guess I can't always be the weirdest. 

Here is my lunch built from cheese, yogurt, and bread I got at the supermercado, an apple from the basket at last nights Albergue, and an egg from David's stand.