Waterworks on the way to Carrión de Los Condes.

Long sections of this stage run alongside the local highway.

Wild roses along the roadside.

I liked this. First road sign I’d seen warning drivers that this is a peregrino zone.

The pilgrim sculpture at the entrance to the town of Carrión de Los Condes. Traditional symbols include the cloak and broad-brimmed hat (protection from sun and rain, the staff (aid in walking and, for the more assertive peregrino, defense against hooligans), the gourd (to carry water), and the scallop shell (to signify to others that one is a pilgrim on the way to Santiago). Today’s pilgrims still carry a version of each of these, including the scallop shell secured to our backpacks.

Boots get stored on a rack near the door to help keep the sleeping areas clean.

One of the men’s sleeping rooms at the albergue hosted by the Espiritu Santo convent in Carrión de Los Condes.

The gracious and welcoming sisters of the convent albergue Espiritu Santo.

The pilgrim blessing service at Iglesias Santa Maria in Carrión de los Condes. The priest lays hands on each person, prays for them, and blesses them.