Viana and the Borgias
I am so sorry that I had so much fun in Viana. Well, I could not post in the blog how fun is Viana, Spain last night. It was like living during the Borgias, but without Church and scandals. Well, let me clarify, I went to Church. Cesare Cardinal Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI built a gorgeous church for the village. It is important to know that to be a Cardinal, you do not need to be ordained. It is a tittle given by the Pope. It is a scandal now, but during the Borgias, you paid for it or you were part of the boys club of the Pope.
As soon as I arrived to Viana, I knew that it was a vibrant joyful city. I arrived during lunch time 1pm to 3:30. The streets were full of people, and every table at restaurants and bars were full to capacity. I had to walk by the walls to reach my shelter. There were people of all ages. Every one was so happy that they made you part of the family immediately. A group of young people invited me to their bar, and literally it was like I was part of the family. They invited me for dinner too. I could not say , no. It was an amazing experience of welcoming the stranger in our mist. I never was a stranger!
The Church was full for mass. The choir was out of tone, but we all sang, and we could not hear the difference. I read the Gospel, and the parish priest preached.
We talked about the Borgias all evening. The young people was so proud of their history. They would live here, but worked in Logroño. What a great life!
I wake up late. Jonathan and Hollie called me from Louisville at 7:30 am (1:30am Louisville time). I should be walking, but it was the last walking day for Miriam, and we wanted to have lunch with her in Logroño.
Logroño was an amazing city. City of paseos and parks. We had to walk all of them. Hundreds of people were walking, running, and biking. I greeted each one of them, and 99%, greeted me back, wow! I was in Spain!!! It was the first time I saw the Spaniard flag. As you know there is this crazy movement in northern Spain about independence in Basque Country and Cataluña. It is all guided by financial powers. If we divided them, we may conquer them!
Pedro and me walked to Navarrete. It was a hot hot hot walk. The town was taking the siesta. We were accommodated in our shelter, and after showering, we took a long nap too.
Around 6:30, we walked to the center of the village. When all the seniors over 90 started filling the plaza. They all have a housekeeper with them. Oh yeah, I had a great time talking to them. Luisa and Bernardo, were so beautiful. She would talk more. He was a former “sastre “ in town. He would look at his watch constantly. Luisa was like my grandma. I asked them about what kind of music they would like to hear. I turned my cell with Lola Flores music, and Luisa sang along. Bernardo was very uncomfortable , but he waved his hands with the music. I asked Luisa if she would like an olives plates. She said: yes! I run to the bar, and when I said it was for Luisa, they did not charged me. She ate all of them. Bernardo did not touched them. Who will change a bended old tree at 95?
When they went home, we ordered our dinner: paella and ribs. Everything was delicious. Markis and his wife joined us. They spoke Italian, but we talked for three hours like we knew each other for life.
For pictures go to Instagram: wherespadre.