Erica Gamester - Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage vs. Aesthetic Tourism

The definition of a pilgrim contrasts from our stereotypical image of a colonial settler with a cornucopia on their kitchen table on Thanksgiving Day. From my understanding, a pilgrim is similar to a modern Viking in the sense that they live a nomadic life and adapt to their fluctuating surroundings. This unconventional lifestyle can be temporary for the duration of a pilgrimage, or even intermittent. While it is rare that one would be on a lifelong pilgrimage, considering the wear it has on the human body and perhaps being accustomed with one’s previous way of life, even short trips can effect one’s emotion and spirituality.

Traditionally, the end destination of a pilgrimage would be sacred according to one’s personal beliefs. I’ve had a couple friends take the legendary Hippy Kippy pilgrimage to El Camino Santiago. From what I’ve heard inside and outside of class, this is a lengthy pilgrimage across Spain with the end destination was the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

While these travelers are on the same trip together, they could self-identify as either a pilgrim or an aesthetic tourist. The ability to integrate one’s self with the experience by participating physically and spiritually separates a pilgrimage from aesthetic tourism. Aesthetic tourism involves participating physically through observation. While both individuals on the same journey may be going through the motions, emotional and spiritual connection separates a pilgrim from a tourist.

In 2013, I took a trip to South East Asia for two weeks with my family. We traveled through public transportation to Cambodia, Thailand, China, Dubai, and others. Collectively, we tried our best to learn basic phrases according to the dominant language in the location we resided in. However, I was very young at the time and did not understand the spiritual aspect to the journey. While I was in awe of the architecture of the temples we visited and intrigued by the culture, I was merely an aesthetic tourist.


Question: Are there instances where is it more socially appropriate to be an aesthetic tourist rather than a pilgrim? Or vise versa? Could pilgrimage be associated with cultural appropriation?

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