The icy start to the day didn’t last long under a bright sun. The shortish walk to L was, to me, the easiest entry into a major city so far.
L is an amazing place. The Cathedral Pluchra Leonina is splendid. I arrived just as Mass was wrapping up and you could hear (and feel) the roar of the organ from outside. In the square, hundreds were sitting and standing and taking in the postlude, briefly transforming the entire square into an extension of the congregation inside. Then a protest about not killing Greyhound dogs once they’re done racing showed up, with cops and megaphones and terrifying photos of…nevermind that.
Tourist highlights: Museo Gaudí, exhibit of Dalí‘s rendition of Dante’s Inferno, and the Picasso special exhibition.
As with other big cities, I seek out the small churches for prayer and quiet. There are several around, and I’m always humbled and heartened when I step inside and find a living, breathing congregation of faithful people praying and hoping and worshipping. Starting each week with a bit of church still warms my heart, even half way around the world.
Taking a so called “mystical” path that’s off the official Way tomorrow.
