STAGE 20 - LEóN to HOSPITAL DE óRBIGO

The walk today was tedious. Leaving León you pass through urban and industrial spaces. When you finally leave the urban areas you follow the highway. There are occasional little towns, most of which are of little consequence. Here are some examples...

Strangest building ever! Most of it hung out over the sidewalk. The narrowest point that tied into the ground was only about three feet wide. 

We stayed in this "hotel" in 2023. It was the strangest place. During dinner the owner came out with a Santiago costume and insisted that I put it on. He then concocted a potion that he lit on fire and had one of our students read a chant that would repel witches. Very weird! Aside from being a weird situation the hotel is located at a truck stop (literally).

We decided at the planning stage of our trip to move as expeditiously as possible through this stage and part of the next to get to Hospital de Orbigo. That meant that we had to walk 20 miles!! It was grueling, but so worth it. Hospital de Orbigo has the longest bridge along the Camino. It was built in the 13th century. You will note from the pictures that there isn't any water! There is a river. The bridge spans from one hill to the other across a flood plain. Perhaps in the past the river would change its course, etc. This is the view of the bridge as you walk towards the other part of the city on the opposing hill... 

This was the view of our bridge the morning from our hotel room. It was a beautiful sunrise.