Day 32 - Acebo to Ponferrada

Day 32 – May 4 - Acebo (Km 220) to Ponferrada (Km 203) = 17 km – Cumulative – 541 km

“Ponferrada, Province of Leon, Castilla y Leon 08 05 04 17:51

We have 2 more days in this valley and then the next major ascent, over O Cebriero which will be steeper. But I have programmed only a short linear distance for that day, only 12 km. Tomorrow we will walk 21 km to Vilafranca del Bierzo (we are in the Bierzo Valley, hence the name).
I will send this now as my time is running out and I will have to put in another Euro”.

“time for a contribution for me (Jean):
1. Dad shaved his beard....1 momentous event.
2. Dad needed a new (smaller) hole in his belt....another event
3. Dad went to mass in the Catholic Church in Rabanelle....... wonders never cease.
He is doing amazingly well and manages to look after me...the weaker one too!”

From Sue Schubert

"Another taxi takes Jean and me into Ponferrada to our fine hostal (Hostal Los Templarios) while the guys don backpacks and join us at the appointed hour (read--They didn´t get lost). In fact they rarely have problems following the yellow arrows which point the way on the Camino. This is a much larger town, of around 5,000 and after a visit to the Castle (built by the Templars who became such a strong organization that the Catholics eventually wiped them out), Jean and I ingest some of the local Bierzo history in the wonderful museum, formerly a jail. (Our country should take a cue on the best use of jails!) We also visit the church and find out that there will be a special procession this afternoon to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the founding of the town, as well as, the coronation of the Virgin of Encina.

Sue and Dick just about run from the hostal to find the townspeople gathering for the parade! People dress up in this part of the Spain and today is no exception. There are townspeople (mostly older), clergy from all over Spain including the Archbishop of Seville (!), nuns, a band, one float with a saint all decorated for the event, clerical guards and much more. You have got to see our photos!! This parade is truly a highlight so far. The Spaniards take their religion seriously.

Tonight we sleep well and plan for tomorrow. The Camino is a metaphor for life, one step at a time."