The Way of the Camino

"The Way of the Camino is a journey for the body, the mind, and the soul."

VOYAGE TYPE

Narrative Voyage

When one considers a walking pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago in Spain is at the top of the list. For the last thirteen hundred years, the Camino is a journey walked by countless pilgrims over the centuries. With seven different routes across Europe culminating in Santiago de Compostela, the Way, as it is known in English, is a journey for the body, the mind, and the soul.

Well-trodden pilgrims’ paths are marked with ubiquitous yellow arrows that point the way to the final destination: the towered Cathedral of Santiago. The twelfth Century cathedral is reputed to be the burial place of James the Apostle, whose symbol is a scallop shell. Though the stories differ about its original meaning, it is certain that the scallop represents the journey. All the lines on the shell lead to the same place, just as the different routes of the Camino lead to Santiago de Compostela, and the heart of God. Join Wonder Voyage on the Camino de Santiago where each day brings opportunities to encounter God, experience wonder, build community, and undergo a walking transformation.

Overview

Walk where pilgrims have tread for hundreds of years.
Engage in a pilgrims’ Eucharist with hundreds of fellow travelers.
Enjoy a gastronomical wonderland.
Learn the history of The Way.
Pray for your family and friends in chapels across Spain.

Itinerary

Every Wonder Voyage itinerary (mission trip and/or pilgrimage) is personalized to the desires, direction and personality of each group. This itinerary is only a description of the kind of journey we can create for your unique team.

Day 1 – Buen Camino
Welcome to Spain! A week of true pilgrimage will begin with a quick ride to the village of Barbadelo. This is the departure point for a journey that has been made by countless pilgrims over the centuries.The words “Buen Camino,” (Good Journey) are words of welcome that resound with the hope of a journey of transformation. They are words that will be oft heard and repeated along The Way. The week will provide a myriad of opportunities to think, pray, love, serve, and offer hospitality. After introductions and orientation, it will be time for us to rest and prepare our hearts and minds for the week ahead.
Day 2 – The Yellow Arrow
For centuries, pilgrims have walked the Camino de Santiago path. Over the years different methods were used to indicate the trail. In the 1980’s, a network of yellow arrows was initiated to mark the direction for pilgrims to walk. The Camino journey is a metaphor for life, and the yellow arrows are a consistent reminder that there are many instances where, without guidance, one has no direction. The lives of the saints who have gone before and the saints who walk today can be those “yellow arrows” when one has lost the way. As we begin this walk, we will follow the arrows, literally and metaphorically.
Day 3 – The Backpack
A new day dawns along the Camino. As shoelaces are tied and belongings are gathered, this will be a time to think about the burdens we carry. In daily life in North America, few people consider how much they carry around in purses, or backpacks, or cars; but along the Camino it is crucial to think about what one carries. As the miles go by, there will be time to ponder the burdens we carry and ways to deal with them.
Day 4 – The Walking Stick
Opportunities abound along the Camino to meet people of all sorts – different nationalities, races, genders, ages, and physical abilities. Many sojourners utilize a walking stick to increase stability and support. The longer one walks, the more welcome those walking sticks become. The love and support of trusted friends and companions can be like a walking stick. As the journey continues today, traveling companions and strangers alike will be considered as supports that will strengthen and support.
Day 5 – Water
At the halfway point of the journey one thing is certain: without water, the journey could not continue. Water is a source of life for the physical body, but it is also a source of vitality for the heart and soul. With its ability to cleanse and refresh, water can provide strength to the weary. Jesus brought “living water” to cleanse, refresh, and revive the souls of all God’s children. Each step this day will bring the chance to ponder the true source of life – the living water.
Day 6 – The Bandage
As the miles roll by, many pilgrims will deal with the problem of pain in one way or another. Blisters, cramps, muscle aches, and weary joints are all common, no matter age or fitness level. Bandages are things that most pilgrims carry; sometimes to use and sometimes to share. While hardly pleasant, pain presents the opportunity to learn, grow, persevere, and overcome. We will experience this as we continue our journey and we will choose to grow rather than give in.
Day 7 – The Scallop Shell
Today the road leads into Santiago de Compostela. Over the centuries the Scallop Shell has been a symbol of the Camino. Though the stories differ about its original meaning, it is certain that it represents the journey. All the lines on the shell lead to the same place. In the same way that the different walking routes of the Camino end up in the same place, the journey toward the heart of God will take different paths for each pilgrim, but all paths end up in that place of peace. We will contemplate this as we end our walking pilgrimage.
Day 8 – The Way of the Pilgrim
The trail has led to this holy place and the cathedral bells will be ringing. It will be time to rest. Today is a day for remembrance and recreation. It is a day to give thanks, to share, to laugh, and to rejoice. The faces of pilgrims who were met along The Way will now be the faces of friends. It is a day to revel in community and rejoice in what God has done this week.
Day 9 – Buen Camino
The Camino portion of this journey of transformation must end. As the transition from Spain to home begins, may the words, “Buen Camino” continue to resound in hearts and minds. The echo of these words and the memories along the way will become an ever-present reminder that life is a pilgrimage, and the lessons learned along The Way are universal ones, leading to Christ.