Day 24: Villavante to Astorga

Miles Day/Total/To Go: 13.4/337.3/183.5
Weather: Sunny Cool then Warm

It was a fantastic inspirational walk today; the intent was ti devote the day to my Brother Fred. Events,  however, overtook the day and tomorrow will be devoted to him.

Musical inspiration finally hit today and I've got an earworm of a Camino themed chorus worked out in my head. I need to voice record it on my phone before going to bed this evening.  It's got some real potential for a niche market appeal, more importantly,  I like it.

The spirit of the Camino hit me in the face today like a cold snow shovel. The sun was out strong and I was feeling a bit "wobbly" well into the walk when at the top of a crest of a hill I met David. He is living in the ruins of an old farm building along the way and has a second bed (more of a hovel actually) set up for anyone who would like to use it for a short rest or even overnight I would imagine. In addition, he had a table set up with a wide array of fruits, nuts, juices, tea and bread products for Pilgrims in need. His pricing was serve yourself and put whatever donation you would like in a small box,  zero is more than OK with him, he was just wanting to have you walking away feeling good. I gladly took a banana, a nectarine,  some orange juice, some water and a handful if hazelnuts. I paid him more than retail; he was an inspiration;  he gets it. I wish more people did.

The final inspiration today was a noon Mass in the village off San Justo. I have not missed Sunday Mass in many, many weeks.  There was no vigil Mass in Villavante last evening and given the areas I was walking through I suspected myvstreak was coming to an end. Low and behold as I was walking into the city of Astorga the bells were calling the faithful to Mass at noon in the suburb of San Justo. It was interesting to attend Mass in a church not directly associated with the Camino. Needless to say, sweaty me with my backpack in tow were not expected. I think they thought me to be a space alien or something, but in the end it all worked out. That is one of the grest things about being Catholic,  you can go to any Catholic Church on the planet,  know it's your church and know exactly what's going on (except for the Homily).

Astorga is an awesome place. I want to come back with my wife when its not a Sunday.

Tomorrow the walk into the mountains begins!