Santiago #31 of 47. I rounded the corner into the bar and hit the blockade of Elder Spanish Masculinity head on. It was far from my intent: I just wanted a beer.

Santiago #30 of 47. The burbs. Lots of it. Just not as charming as the old city and you walk through a lot of them.

Santiago #28 of 47. The vibrant city of Leon.

Santiago #27 of 47. Today’s biking was defined by one question: do I bike the official path?

Santiago #26 of 47. So the rain definitely falls on the plain. And inside the albergue.

Santiago #25 of 47. If yesterday was a bucking bronco, and it was, then today was My Little Pony, complete with rainbow tail.

Santiago #24 of 47. What you see when you walk in. It’s dreary.

Santiago #23 of 47. The plains of Spain, also known as the Meseta.

Santiago #22 of 47. What I anticipated: Sore down under — essentially anything in contact with the seat. Check. Actually, give that two checks. Sore quads. Check. Tan lines on feet. Check.

Santiago #21 of 47. The beautiful “cathedral of the ceiling” and city of Burgos.

Santiago #20 of 47. We started two weeks ago at Saint Jean Pied du Port, one stage east of Roncesvalles, shown as a dot to the far right in Spain.

Santiago #19 of 47. Hotels, albergues and many other service providers offer a commemorative stamp which documents your arrival to a location.

Santiago #18 of 47. The range of possibilities in accommodations was dramatized by where we slept last night and where we are tonight.

Santiago #17 of 47. What is a pilgrimage? I never know until I get there.

Santiago #16 of 47. I don’t use poles in general when I walk but have used them to modest effect going downhill, which I suppose makes me ambi- or bi-polar.

Santiago #15 of 47. I’ve taken the silk liner from my Söx-n-Sañdàls™ ensemble, cut off the foot and transformed it into the Söx Sūn Bløck Çuff™.

Santiago #14 of 47. Birds eye view of feet and trail.

Santiago #12 of 47. For today’s söx-n-sañdàls™ fashion forward look, I’ve paired my wool and silk socks lining, carefully rolling them down .