I long ago gave up trying to understand my fellow humans and whenever I visit a major cathedral in Europe my baffled wonderment goes into overdrive. How can we produce such monumental beauty and kill each other century in and century out with no end in sight? How could the same people who commissioned and created this architecture, stained glass, sculpture, frescoes. and meticulous ornamentation have been responsible for the Inquisition and countless murders and an endlessly array of creative torture instruments? I will never get it.

Though not as overwhelming as the cathedral in Burgos with its endless maze of chapels, the cathedral in Leon, based on the more traditional cross floor plan, is impressive. The interior space is grand and and soaringly vertical. The stained glass, with its elaborate floral motifs, is beautiful, as are the carved wooden entry doors set into carved stone arches.

I was hoping to spend most of the day off my feet but I couldn't help walking for several hours through the old city, going to the outdoor market in the plaza mayor, and just rambling about looking for photo ops. It's now mid-afternoon, I just got back in a horizontal position, and even though I'd still like to roam I think I'm going to try to force myself to stay this way til dinner time.