May 1, 2017 – 12.5 miles (20 Km) – Weather was better today, and as bad as we thought it was yesterday, it was worse for others. Some people had to be rescued from the first stage in the Pyrenees, with hypothermia, and someone we met before texted from the stage ahead of us. They had the wind with snow, so all in all, it wasn’t as bad for us. Last night we stayed at an old mill house converted to a small hotel. It was very cozy, the people who run it are very welcoming, and it’s all done family style. We were there with a group of people from the Canary Islands, a French couple, and a German lady. We had a fun dinner. This morning was pretty cool, and as the day went on, it got a bit windier. Nothing compared to yesterday, but it was colder than expected. We walked by Hospital de Orbigo, which has a bridge from the 13th century. The walk was a bit more scenic today. We arrived to Astorga where they were having a parade with a religious part of it, and a marching band. We visited the cathedral and some other sites like the Gaudí Palace.
In the evening there was another parade. Apparently, when there’s a drought, they plead to the Virgin of Castrotierra for rain. Farmers and people from villages up to 20 Km away walk to Astorga carrying huge flags and crosses and come to Astorga hoping for rain soon. It’s hard to appreciate how heavy these flag poles are, it’s pretty scary standing close to them when they look like they’re going to fall over.
McHughs on The Camino 