Zamora: A Tourist Day:) 21C, Sunny and a Nice Walking Day

Twenty Four Churches, you say. Do I have to see them all?

Simple answer...not on your life!!

I have a sunrise photo from my room this morning, but you'll have to take it from me that the sunset image is much better.

If you can enlarge the picture you will see the birds feeding in the dying light while behind them the clouds seem to be on fire. Truly a tremendous show as I sat in my window above the world quietly observing. If you look to the right you will see a curved dome...this is the bump on top...

A mother watching the kids go to sleep.

Last night was a learning experience as our young German friend explained traveling European musicians to us. These fellows in their robes apparently travel far and wide playing music to entertain and raise funds. Their other objective, if you can call it that, is to meet and have a brief romance with a woman from the place they are visiting. The fellow in the following two photos is fairly accomplished having the ribbons on his back to demonstrate his romances and the patches on the front of his robe to show his journey...a Camino of a different nature perhaps? The music is excellent, and honestly, how about that beard:)

If you enlarge the photo you can see where he has travelled with his music and his charm.

Today I forced myself to go into the dinning room to have a lovely breakfast...far and away from my usual rushed piece of fruit and a chunk of bread often eaten as I walk out of a small village in the early morning hours. I was dressed very simply, and stood out amoung the well healed guests, but hey I'm a walking pilgrim, and as my fellow peregrinos brilliantly put it last night, they are Mercedes Peregrinos! My friends sure liked my 'albergue' last night when they picked me up for dinner. So here's what breakfast looked like, complete with marmalade!

After a satisfying breakfast and thank you email to those who arranged this stay as my retirement gift it was off to wander the city. Walking particularly slowly in the early morning I felt a part of the place and really enjoyed the vibs from this ancient pilgrimage city. Here is the gate where the early pilgrims would leave the city, and I too will do the same tomorrow as I depart. Something special in being a small part of the continuing unfolding history and process...it's very humbling. 

And yes, I saw a few churches. Simple and beautiful. The cathedral is certainly the grandest and I obtained another sello in my credential in preparation to depart. Easily forgotten that this is the old Roman road and then you find something from that era to remind you...there were Roman columns to the side of the cathedral.

In honour of my eldest who is all knowledgable about everything art history related, in the cathedral there are some of the finest tapestries in Spain from the 16th C kept in a special room that being early I was able to enjoy all by myself. These are for you Erin.

I've seen many tapestries during my wanderings, and I agree, these are probably the best I've ever come across. The detail, presentation and preservation is exceptional.

So a funny story. After I left the cathedral I wandered the city walls intending to eventually arrive and have a look at the castle. However, when I arrived at the gate and went inside I found the ticket fellow dead asleep...he was snoring, so I know it was the latter, and not the former. Given what I'm in the process of enjoying I couldn't bring myself to wake him or even take advantge of the situation. So I left him to his slumbers and continued on. But I was entertained!

A typical church, and that's as close as I'll take you today...one can see too much of churches.

Still trying to figure these guys out? Their music must be poor indeed to cover their heads.

And lastly, I found Fredreco's uncle in Zamora...I'm getting quite a collection of these...

But this one supports this town nicely...

I'm off again tomorrow. I heard last night from Didier that Jessica (Germany), Benito (Spain) and likely Oli (Germany) will arrive today. Nice to hear, as while I enjoy the solitude of walking, I really enjoy celebrating the day with others over a good meal and vino that evening.

Buen Camino!

Addendum: this morning at breakfast I noticed that many of the well healed seemed to know each other and I guessed that perhaps a wedding was in process today...seems I was right. I guess that explains all the expensive cars and expensive people. Probably this isn't the time to go down to the bar to claim my free drink? Wonder if I could crash the event...bet the wine is extremely good! They put in new carpets and massive flower displays this morning...and I thought was for me;)