My Afternoon With Crazy Freddy!

I was sitting having a sandwich in café/bar Espagña in Carrión de Los Condes when I met Freddy. He is an American physician who has now lived in Carrión for the past seven years and he is definitely one of the local characters! Freddy currently is a guitar maker and concert promoter here in Carrión. He appears to be doing some good things since the mayor has made several buildings availble to him as concert and music workshop spaces. 

Freddy toured me around town which included a stop at one of the older churches he now uses for guitar concerts. I had the honor of ringing the church bell to announce 2 o'clock in town. Carrión seems to have quite the summer art scene with everything from painting competitions to concerts.

Through Freddy, I really got some insights not only into the history of this charming town, but also to the provincial mindset of the Spanish when it comes to trying to get something done here as a foreigner. 

As I finish my 15th day on the Camino, my afternoon with Freddy represents my first real exposure, of any duration, to someone other than my fellow pilgrims. The personally guided tour of town will certainly be one of my fondest memories of this month in Spain.