Sadness in the Skies

The "statue" of Ghandi limbering up to do nothing outside the Cathedral of Santiago. 

As I left the hotel to catch my train out of Santiago the sky was covered with clouds.  In fact they were the first clouds I had seen in over a week.  On my train ride through Galicia I watched as it began to drizzle.  The first rain I had experienced in Galicia during the entire Camino route through there.  It was fitting weather that captured my melancholic feelings now that I am leaving Santiago after parting with some wonderful people.

Train Station, Santiago de Compostela.

On the way to the train station I saw the two Canadian Ladies from outside of Calgary.  From across the plaza I heard shouted at me:  "The things you see when you don't have your gun!"  I took that as a sign of endearment while exchanging kisses with them knowing that there will be no more "run ins."  Bruce and John left this morning too:  one by air, the other by rail and air.  Only Richard will remain till Wednesday or Thursday.  My impressions from yesterday is that they were also sharing both gratitude and melancholy.

Closed bar/restaurant, Leon. 

The train to Leon stopped at two points along the Camino Route:  Ponferrada and Astorga.  The Ponferrada station is not near the Camino path while the Astorga station has a Camino bridge right over the tracks.  I craned my head by the window to watch the poor pilgrims, six in all, ascend the ramps in the 80 plus temperature before they began the climb to the "old city."  I thought how lucky they are!

An Empty Plaza Mayor, Leon

Upon arriving in Leon even that had seemed to change.  The last time I was here it was brilliant blue skies and seas of weekend revelers in the winding streets.  Today is a cloudy Monday with empty streets and closed businesses as they observe weekly rest.   It reminds me of the song from "Les Miserables" Empty Chairs and Empty Tables.  That wasn't too cheery a number either.

Like a "Twilight Zone" episode:  no one!

I did go to St. Isidor's for my Holy Hour and will return for Mass tho evening.  This was the welcoming parish I had found my second day here last month.  I'll probably return tomorrow at noon for Mass before leaving for Bilboa.



I'll return to tourist mode for a bit now before returning to Benedictines of Solesmes and then to Paris and my time with the Little Sisters of the Poor.  The posts might slow a bit as it has been an intense five weeks.  Besides I don't like posting when I'm filled with melancholy and there is Sadness in the Skies!