The program will focus on creating an environment for reflection in order to deepen your connection with God. A typical day will look like this:
Morning: Pilgrims usually rise shortly after daybreak to enjoy the crisp morning air. We will begin the day with a short facilitated meditation on the suggested theme for the day followed by an orientation for the hike ahead. Breakfast will be taken on your own, based on your own needs and desired departure time. The morning will be spent walking, with rests and lunch along the way.
Afternoon: After walking 4-6 hours, you will arrive at your overnight destination sometime in early to mid-afternoon. Everyone is permitted to walk at their own pace, with or without a companion. Afternoons will be spent showering, resting, journaling or doing laundry. Before dinner, you will have the opportunity to debrief the day with the group over drinks and tapas, if desired.
Evening: You may choose to eat dinner with our cohort, a smaller group, or on your own. Dinner in Spain is typically much later than in other countries (after 9 pm). There will be an optional brief meditation in the evening.
The program above describes a typical day and the opportunities that will be available to you. While we hope you will participate in some of the group sessions to enrich the experience of others, it is not required because we realize that every person’s pilgrimage is unique. Each person comes with different questions, hopes and needs. We want to respect and honor where each person is at. The intent of the program is to provide a basic rhythm that pilgrims can follow as desired.
Mark Yeadon’s passion is to help others thrive in all aspects of life. Recently retired from a 25+ year executive leadership role with an international development organization, Mark is excited about coaching and mentoring others who have also felt the incessant demands of leadership. Mark believes it is possible to hold demanding roles and still thrive in life. He studied Accounting and International Development and is in the process of completing a Certificate in Spiritual Formation through the Apprentice Institute at Friends University. Mark lived in numerous Latin American countries and is fluent in Spanish, English and is conversant in Portuguese. Throughout his career he hosted and led teams in many countries around the world and used every free moment to hike them as well. Mark currently lives in Colorado with his wife of over 40 years, 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren.Camino Francés – Sarria to Santiago de Compostela
This stretch of the Camino Francés will earn you the pilgrims’ certificate if you get your pilgrim passport stamped twice a day. You will begin the walk under the sentinel gaze of Sarria Castle on peaceful country roads lined by shady oak woods. Quiet villages host beautiful Romanesque churches such as the one in Eirexe whose beautiful portal features a sculpture of Daniel and animals, as well as Santiago de Peregrino. There are hamlets every few kilometers so you will not have to worry about food or water. At Melide, stop in one of the many restaurants to try the local specialty pulpo before heading to the medieval village of Ribadiso where you can relax on the river bank. Beyond Arzua the Camino will pass through woods, along streams and through sleepy villages like Santa Irene, home to a small chapel with unique statues of Santiago and the Fountain of Eternal Youth which, according to legend, would heal and grant youthfulness to whoever washed in its waters. At the spring in Lavacolla, pilgrims traditionally washed in its waters before presenting themselves before Saint James. Tall eucalyptus trees line the way to Monte del Gozo (the “Mount of Joy”) from where you will see your final goal – the UNESCO World Heritage Site la Catedral de Santiago.
Please read the tabs to the left for details about what is included.
