to Astorga

After arriving to a new town and having showered and change, we are always amazed that people say 'buen Camino' to us. How do they know that we are pilgrims? So, I start paying closer attention to pilgrims after they have discarded their backpacks and walking sticks. Pilgrims walk with what we call the Camino waddle, you never see them walk straight down steps, they are always taking it one step at a time, sideways. Pilgrims are always asking for the nearest location for food or the farmacia so they can quickly restock their supply of Compede and other blister medications. Now I understand why.
We started todays journey on a crisp frosty morning. A quick ten mile morning walk to the beautiful walled city of Astorga, gateway town to the mountains. We are back to the serene and beautiful paths of the Camino, through wooded oaks and away from roads and highways. We are back climbing hills and the air is wonderful and the views, spectacular.
Astorga was the chocolate capital of the world. It is here where they develop modern techniques to produce large quantities of it. Every 3rd shop is a chocolate store and they all sell the same kinds. We also toured the beautiful Gaudi Episcopal Palace and the large but disappointing cathedral. High point was actually catching a street play on one of the plazas. A bit confusing and went something like this. A witch was being burned on the stake, she morphs into a maiden. She is captured by soldiers but she escapes. She is chased and finally cornered, beaten up and bloodied, and hung by ropes until a knight rescues her. Kids watching were totally crying and traumatized, audience like us were just confused by the violence. The town is nevertheless beautiful.