June 25, 2013

Today, we didn’t leave Astorga until 12:30 p.m., because Don and I both had haircuts and I had color and brows done, as well, Praise God!   We were both becoming shaggy and had asked several people about barbers, when we gave up and started to leave town.  But…Praise God, at the last second, we saw a “Pelucería” and asked if she had time to do Don’s cut—she did, and mine, as well!  When I saw all the gray (las canas) underneath, I asked how much her color was: 16Ԑ, a real bargain compared to the U.S.!  So, Don got a very short (crew) cut and shampoo, and went sight-seeing, while I got a cut, color, and brow clean up!  Everything came to 36Ԑ (38Ԑ with tip)! (As a side note, we returned to Silvia, the lovely hairdresser, the following year for more haircuts, color and brows!!!   We had become FaceBook friends.   She and her family even invited us to dinner the next year---what a treat!)

                We then walked—in the heat—to Rabanal de Camino, a lovely little village tucked away in the hills, 21+ km from Astorga, where we had started this morning!

                Angela: we met some friendly people at dinner from Seattle.  They go to St. James’ Catholic Church, which is renowned for its music and open-mindedness.  They would LOVE to have you all!  Thank you, St. James, for this chance encounter!

                We also met our British friends from dinner at the León albergue; they invited us to the Pilgrims’ Blessing at 9:30 p.m. tonight, at the church across the road from us!

                After a great dinner of thick vegetable soup (Sopa de verduras), veal (Don), Lenguada (M.T.), wine, bread, water and dessert (cheese cake, Don; crème caramel, M.T.), Don and I hurried to the tienda for fruit and nuts for tomorrow.  God is good—all the time!

[We met an American couple after dinner, who attend a school in Ohio.  They said two people had died on the St. Jean Pied de Port route the day we missed it—one on the higher route—the Pyrenees, and one on the lower route that they took the next day!]

                We went to the Pilgrims’ Blessing and Night Prayer at the German Benedictine Monastery Church across the street.  The monks from Germany spoke to us afterwards—in German!  Neat!

Our Visit to Silvia's Salon and House for Dinner