Kelly Cooke: Camino talk 10/27


Talk on the Camino de Santiago

Kelly Cooke

Symbols along the Camino de Santiago allows profound participation whereas the Appalachian Trail is not known for the symbols. Does the AT have opportunities for participation similar to that on the Camino? While the AT appears to perpetuates internal reflection and physical challenge, the Camino offers striking images, cultural experience, and liminality of place. The artwork can be alienating to those who witness it and contains lots of striking images and messages that can make one feel small. The Camino's aspects of religious pilgrimage adds to the journey. Attending to relationships, not necessarily miles strengthens the experience. This mindset is easier to have in the Camino's environment due to the city close by. The daily distance is inferior to connections made possible through the Camino. The journey can create communitas due to the surroundings (people, city, food, etc). Relationships exist between those on the Camino and between those who are not, beyond interactions possible in deep wilderness. Ruins conjure thoughts of what once was and religious iconologies that have worn away. The buildings lacking windows, ceilings, and pieces of walls (looking to the heavens) can bring more meaning than buildings that are not ruins. The beauty witnesses on the journey translates power of place. Both the AT and the Camino are physical challenges that can result in a feeling of suffering. Does this play a part in the experience of journey? The Camino is shorter distance and time than a through-hike on the AT, does that lesser level of suffering impact one's ability to have a spiritual journey among the Camino?

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