FAQs
Question
What is the Camino de Santiago?
Answer
Since first seeing The Way in 2010, the top item on Hannah’s bucket list has been walking the Camino de Santiago. The Camino, or the Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrim routes that lead to the tomb of St. James and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. The Camino dates back to the 9th century, when the tomb of St. James was discovered. The network of routes connects much of Europe, with the Camino Francés, or the French Way, having become the most popular. The French Way begins in St. Jean-Pied-du-Port in France, and travels nearly 500 miles to the town of Santiago de Compostela. The route has been declared one of the three major Christian pilgrimages, along with the Via Francigena to Rome and the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Pilgrims travel the Camino for many reasons, not all religious. The path sees pilgrims from around the world, every one of them connected by the journey. A scallop shell symbol marks the path along the way, and pilgrims often wear a shell on their bags to identify them. Pilgrims carry with them a credencial, or a pilgrim’s passport, which is marked with the official stamp of each town or hostel the pilgrim visits. It acts as a record of the pilgrimage, and it serves as proof of completion for the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago. After completing the pilgrimage, the pilgrim receives a compostela, or a certificate of completion.
Question
Why the Camino?
Answer
The Camino de Santiago has been a constant in Hannah’s life. She happened to attend a showing of the movie The Way in 2010 when her brother, Ian, needed culture points for his high school Spanish class. After that, she knew she would become a pilgrim herself one day. In middle school, Hannah’s piano teacher completed the Camino, and her desire to do so herself only grew. While in high school, Hannah took every opportunity to use the Camino de Santiago as a subject for essays and presentations. The night Hannah returned from her summer at Ole Miss, she picked up a DVD of The Way from the public library. She related deeply to the movie's pilgrims in their desire for meaning and connection, and she cried, as she always does, when the pilgrims finally reach Santiago de Compostela. Now, 15 years after first learning about the Camino, Hannah hopes to experience her dream-come-true. Lucas suggested that, instead of a more traditional honeymoon, the two newlyweds walk 500 miles across northern Spain, staying in hostels, meeting strangers from around the world, and spending every single day together on a journey that will almost certainly be trying at times, but altogether beautiful. Lucas and Hannah are asking their friends and family, for whom they are eternally grateful, to forgo a traditional wedding gift and consider contributing to their pilgrimage. Any gift is appreciated.
Question
How Can I Support Hannah and Lucas's Camino?
Answer
Gifts can be given in a variety of ways. First, via the registry tab on this website, where guests can contribute using a credit card. This method requires a small processing fee. To avoid the fee, there are alternative options. Cash and check are always appreciated. Gifts can also be sent via Venmo to @Hannah-Niccum. The last four digits of Hannah's phone number are 1483, and can be used to verify the account. Hannah and Lucas are very grateful for your support and generosity. Nothing is expected, and everything is appreciated.