Day 9

Today was part two of our break from walking while we explored Spain with Mark's dad. 

We woke up in the luxurious parador hotel and had a very extensive breakfast buffet. It had everything from a variety of cold meats and cheese to cereal and fruit. I had a little bit of a lot of things and it was great. 

After breakfast we packed up our bags that are now slightly lighter due to our sending some things home. 

Mark got rid of: a pair of shorts, a small camera tripod, and a book. 

I left behind: a pair of shorts, an extra water bottle, and a backpacking pillow. 

Every little bit helps when it comes to lightening the load! 

We left the parador by car, and let me tell you, if you are debating whether to walk or drive somewhere, driving is significantly faster. I know. Shocking. 

We went to see the church of San Miguel de Escalada. To get there we drove back along the path we had walked into León for a bit. I don't know why I was so surprised to see that in about 20 minutes we had already covered the distance that had taken us hours to walk. 

Here is the church:

Gotta love those horse shoe arches. 

From there we drove to Hospital de Órbigo, where we saw a medieval bridge with a nice story of chivalry attached to it. It is known as the Paso Honroso because a knight defended his honor via   joisting against any knight that attempted to cross the bridge. He succeeded. 

Here is the bridge:

We then hopped back in the car and drove to Astorga, where mark and I will stay the night before continuing on the camino by foot. 

Here's what greeted us in Astorga. Gaudí's palace (now a museum):

And an enormous cathedral. 

We had lunch together and then mark's dad headed back to León. Here we are in front of our albergue:

After four, mark and I figured the museums would be opening after siesta. Our first stop, the chocolate museum:

Apparently the first chocolate in Spain was made on Astorga with these kinds of items. Who knew?

I also learned that chocolate made a big impression in the works of lithography. 

Next we visited the Palacio Episcopal, designed by Gaudí. 

The interior was pretty amazing. 

Each brick lining the edge was painted with different organic shapes. Talk about detail!

After that we went in the cathedral. 

I was a fan. 

We finished of the night in Mark's favorite way, with a doner kebab. 

Our pilgrim's passports are filling up!