i walked through astorga today.  it seemed like a big party was going on!  everyone was smiling, there was a lively feeling in the air, and the city itself is just gorgeous.  i was there around lunchtime and had lunch and visited the gaudi building, the bishop´s palace.  i took a couple of cool photographs before being told that no photos are allowed so i will post those when i get to a computer that can do that.  he really was a genius.  the building, and grounds, are amazing.  it is right next to the cathedral, which you can see from about 5 or 6 kilometers away.  it´s huge. 

the walk on to this location was incredible in that i felt like i had a front row seat to the best show in town: clouds.  huge clouds gathering, blowing, changing... over the mountains and over the camino.  there was even a huge cloud that kind of enveloped another, smaller cloud that looked like the bust of abraham lincoln the way he is in the monument.  we even got a sprinkle, but it was as if the clouds were saying ´we could do this if we wanted, but we´re not going to today´.  lovely.  the wind picked up and i really leaned into it as it brought the promise of tomorrow´s mountains, and even a hint of snow.  i will have a short day tomorrow of about 20 clicks and will end up in a rustic albuerge with no electricity where lydia will be to film me. ( i put ´shoot me´first, but i know my mom would not like seeing that, even knowing that it only has to do with cameras!)

anyway, i am tired tonight and just waiting for dinner to be served so i can eat then go to bed.  i walked from about 7:30 this morning, and got in around 5 pm.  i always stop and eat, and i visited the museum, but still, it makes for a long day on your feet.  tomorrow will be much shorter.
peace and blessings to one and all-
a