The mountains are calling: to Rabanal del Camino

At lunch yesterday I ate so well that I skipped diner. Just a banana and some nuts this morning is my light breakfast before I head out at 6 am.

The Camino goes first slightly and then more intense up and down past by little villages. The from a stone cross I could already see Astorga in the distance - especially the in the sunlight pink looking Cathedral which towers over the whole village.

Astoria’s visitors bureau says that the village is where culture, art and religion meet each other. Yes, the impressive GaudiPalace/ bishop palace and the far too big cathedral for such a small/rich village are impressive - and there are other towns on the Camino which deserve that description as well.

The main altar Was carved by the ‚Spanish Michelangelo‘. He created the figures higher up taller so the whole altar looks like an impressive coming to live monument.

Time for a quick breakfast and on I go to Rabanal. The landscape out of Astorga changes quickly as the barren soil does not allow for major agriculture.  Dark clouds are piling up - time to turn on the turbo to get to my day goal before the thunderstorm.

The higher I walk the less vegetation there is. In Rabanal I spent the night in an old stone house. The region here is called Maragateria and one of the customs is to have white windows and door frames to keep ‚bad ghosts outdoors - if it helps I am all in favor!