Shells and Credentials

Day #15: Hontanas to Boadilla, 17 miles

Day #16: Boadilla to Carrion de Los Condes, 16 miles

Day #17: Carrion to Terradilla de Los Templarios, 16 miles

Even though we are nowhere near the sea, the scallop shell is the symbol of the Camino. It is a legend that goes back to when St. James body was supposedly returned by a stone boat to Northern Spain after he was beheaded in Jerusalem. Long story, a little iffy, but the shell symbol remains everywhere along our way. They are on walls, sidewalks, statues, everywhere. These are some of my favorites:

Sunday, September 7

One of the most beautiful mornings so far. 

 The ruins of San Anton monastery. The Camino goes right through the remains. 

Castrojeriz church with castle remains on the hill.

There are lots of sculptures of pilgrims, some ancient and some modern like this one in the garden of our albergue. 

More Meseta. 

Monday, September 8

This is a section of my credential. It is a sort of pilgrim's passport. We need it to stay in the albergues (pilgrim hostels), where each places a distinctive stamp on it. Many cafés/bars and churches do, too. Since we can't spare the room or weight to buy any mementos, it serves as a great souvenir. 

Today we were sitting on a bridge in a tiny town when this elderly man came up to give us a piece of hard candy and stamp our credentials.

A few pictures from our lunch stop in Villalcazar de Sirga. 

In Carrion de Los Condes, this man showed us papers and credentials showing how many times he and his dog have walked the Camino. We have met some real characters!

Tuesday, September 9

I fortified myself last night with mass attendance and a couple beers and did some surgery on the blisters on the bottoms of my feet. They were a little better today. At least I didn't feel like I had rocks in my shoes. I kind of figured the Meseta would kick my butt. I didn't know it would be my feet that would get the worst of it!