Lauren Schaaf- Aesthetic Tourism

This reading was very similar to the readings we read for my study abroad trip I took with Kip this past summer. The trip was a pilgrimage and we often discussed the difference between pilgrims and tourists. I felt like I wasn't only a tourist experiencing Spain but I also couldn't be only a pilgrim since it was my first time in Spain and I couldn't help but want to experience some of the more touisty things and appreciate my surroundings rather than just focusing inward.

It also was interesting that in this paper it quoted Edith and Victor Turner, who's book I read last May for my own pilgrimage. It talks about how every year millions visit America's national parks and forests for both recreational purposes but also to renew love of land and country. In this example, trips can be both tourism and also spiritual quests.

This paper also brought up Thoreau which I found very relevant to my previous blog posts and personal interests. Thoreau spoke of pilgrimages as exploring land. In this paper, Kip focuses on the Appalachian Trail but these points he makes are also directly related to my own experience on the Camino de Santiago. America's scenic trails have roots in aesthetic tradition  while others hike trails in hopes of a more spiritual journey. 

I don't consider myself a religious person but I do label myself as spiritual. Therefore, it was fascinating to see Kip use "spiritual journey" rather than religious journey. I think ''spiritual" offers a more broad term that includes many people who may not fall under a religion. I also think it's difficult to experience certain things and not feel a transformation that makes you a pilgrim. Kip mentioned in class the feeling of Sublime that induces an emotion of astonishment and I think it's that feeling when looking at nature that transforms people into reflecting on their environments and their own lives and values.

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