Where to next?
Now that my ramblings about India are over, at least for this blog, the question is what's next? My next fieldwork trip will begin in late August when I head to Europe to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, interviewing people as I go. But that is five months from now, so I need something to fill in the time here. I was thinking I could just continue with the nonsensical ramblings as they come to me, perhaps some photo collages of my area of Sydney (hmmm that would give me a chance to get artistically wanky again... I like it!), or just nothing at all. Maybe some of you rabid blog fans out there can tell me your preferences (gets ready for one response from grandma).
In any case, this blog will continue to exist. So don't be strangers.
Self portrait: Balcony writing (aka attempt to be cool 5)
6 comments:
well - I'll read it - it's probably interesting.
Thanks Jetti! It's so cool that I have no idea who you are. Woohoo!!! Fans!! (make sure you pretend to be a rabid one... rabid fans rock various casbahs :-)
Grandma here :)
I like your style. Looking forward to reading your other posts and more views of your extremely handsome profile and exciting hat selection.
You promised to give up cigarettes. It is my dying wish....
now give gran a kiss
x x
Hello Lillypond!... What makes me think I know you? And how do you know I promised to give up cigarettes...? Mysteries, mysteries :-)
Hello Alex, Congratulation on your winning the Booker prize. We will be following your blogs on the Camino as you have the experiences of a Southern Asian travel, we originated from there. We would be very interested on your views of the clashes of cultures. Our own travel on the Camino seem to indicate that there could be more Christian tolerance between the group bent on enduring the hardship of blistered feet, cold showers and sleeping on the floor, etc; the groups of moderates who managed to walk for a few days on the Camino in the relative knowledge that they will not have to fight for a place to stay and will be able to see the places of worship in a clean and presentable manner after a hot shower; and the young students plus others scrounging for a cheap holiday.
There are many remarks from those who go on the Camino as "purist pilgrims" who shun mobile phones, iPods, GPS, and other mod cons - but still have the time to post scathing remarks on the internet. I hope that with your fresh mind, and having experienced the pilgrim's way in India, you could post comments which could provide a more harmonious relations between the fundamentalist pilgrims and the others on the road.
Grandpa Joe
Thanks Grandpa Joe! You are very kind.
The issue of tension between so-called 'purist' and 'casual' pilgrims is certainly one I'm curious about. Rest assured I'll post whatever thoughts I have about it while there. I'm also very interested to see how the various 'modes' of doing the camino (by foot, donkey, horse, bike, bus) impact on the types of experiences people have and the meanings they draw from it. This strikes me as the subtext of the debate/tension you mentioned - there is a sense, among some, that their way of doing the camino is the 'best' way, and the most spiritually advantageous. It's an age-old problem (spoken of in numerous accounts), so how it manifests now is important to understanding how the camino is used to make meaning, and in turn about what people's are 'missing' (problematic term) that the camino can give.
I'll do my best to say it as I see it, but like you I think it is important for each of the 'groups' to be understanding of each other.
Regards,
Alex
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