Footnote

 

As I sit in my favourite coffee in Cardiff, enjoying a flat white (what would the Spanish make of that?) rather than the café con leche, which I have become used to during the last month, I take a moment to think about the things I am missing most about Leon. Above all the Colegio Divina Pastora, the staff and its pupils, who with their oversized rucksacks, reminded me of baby turtles navigating their way through a sea of corridors (I never did manage to find my way to every class without help!). The school welcomed me like a long-lost relative and I will always be grateful for everyone’s warmth, support and humour.

Certainly I miss the Leonites, that other surrogate family whose camaraderie, friendship and love of life enhanced the experience one hundredfold. Despite our different ages, interests and life experiences, I loved getting to know everyone in the group and genuinely miss every single one of them.

Above all I miss the city, with its network of busy narrow alleyways, crowded with shops and temptation–filled cafes and bars, opening onto unexpected small plazas, framed by restaurants, churches, basilicas and medieval architecture. The jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the Cathedral La Pulchra (the beautiful one), whose grand plaza has so often been the meeting and congregating place for us Leonites, arriving from schools and accommodation in the various corners of the city. The view of its west façade at sunset with the enormous rose window, glowing in the evening light, from the rooftop terrace of the Camarote Madrid Hotel is etched in my memory.

This time has been life-affirming and I shall be forever thankful to everyone and everything which made it possible.