Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture #2

"But these fresh and unpredictable troubles represent, at the same time, a release from the ingrown ills of home." In class, we have talked a lot about hikers leaving their identities at home. Recognizing one another using trail names is one way of leaving home-life behind; you can create bonds with people without knowing their legal name or occupation. Another form of "ingrown ills" are cellular devices and music players. Dr. Redick told us about a time where he took his class on a trip and one student walked the trail, while listening to his MP3; the student's focus was diffused among two external stimuli: the music and nature. In order to gain anything significant out of a hike, one must zero in all their attention to the walk. When hiking, there seems to be no room for these "ingrown ills of home."

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