Leon is where we met our first Camino Angels!  One was at the Parador on our first evening in Leon. He was at the concierge desk and became very animated when he heard we were doing the The Camino. he pulled out his phone and showed us a photo that Martin Sheen signed for him. Martin Sheen used the Parador to film a few scenes of the movie.  The concierge showed us on his computer the scenes that were filmed here. it was so exciting to realize that we were walking where many other pilgrims have walked.  It was such a great experience for Sharon and I to meet a person with such warmth and excitement of the Camino. 

Today we met a second Angel. Sharon and I were wandering around the old town trying to find the arrows for the Camino. Sharon noticed some lion statues near an old church. we wandered closer and Sharon got pooped on by a bird! she wanted to go inside the church to rinse the bird poop off her hand in the holy water…not the best way to take care of things but it was an option. 

We sat down in the church to say a prayer and there was a docent a man that brought over a pamphlet to explain the history of the church when we got up to leave he came over to us and another couple and invited us into the back chapel when we walked into this back chapel it was small little room. it was breathtaking when we first saw the murals painted on the walls and on the ceiling. 

The man took my phone and showed me how to get the best picture of the ceiling and we stopped to take other pictures and we continued to have a conversation with this man. he really couldn’t speak much English at all and we spoke extremely little English but it was so wonderful how we were communicating.  he we told him we were starting the Camino tomorrow. The warmth and the sentiment from this man was so touching. he kissed us three times on each cheek. he wished us well in Spanish & using hand signals that showed his heart reaching out to our hearts. we felt such joy and love from this man. We felt today the sense of community the Pilgrims share. 

There is such magic  once you start speaking to people about the Camino here in Spain. Shannon and I feel that this was the perfect start and tomorrow with our backpacks on, as we leave this lovely city of Leon we will look forward to what is to come. 

May peace prevail on earth and with you!