Pilgrimages

Hearing about people going on journeys to visit historical and religious destinations was once a very foreign concept to me; it is not something that was talked about where I grew up nor was it ever emphasized as something important to understanding the self.  The idea of someone still traveling miles on foot taking months at a time is a little hard to comprehend. Having such powerful beliefs in locations and relics is very inspiring considering all of the controversy that we have discussed in the validity of these religious relics. But now that I am here in Florence I am beginning to understand why it is that people take the time and energy to see certain locations. Through my experiences in this class and in my study abroad as a whole I have gained insight into why the act of pilgrimaging is so beneficial.  For me I can relate back to my experience with travel in general and why it is that I want to see certain destinations. I have gained a great sense of perspective from my travel and have learned about myself and how I see the world.  Though this is not a religious perspective it is still relatable to those going on pilgrimages churches - traveling long distances, staying in hostels with others going through the same reflection phase of life, and seeing first hand the pieces of the world that lived before ours.  The journey itself strengthens the individual.  The people met and the conversations had all lead to satisfaction in the adventure.  For those searching for religious enlightenment I can see how this would be the best way to achieve it.  In my own journeys to churches in Florence and in Italy I have felt a uniqueness in each one of them. No two feature the same art or share the same energy. They each have something different to offer.  That is how I can understand visiting many churches of the same saint or generational style - they all give something different.  The choice to pilgrimage is something that is no longer a foreign concept to me but I'm not sure if I would make the three month journey visiting all of the churches shown in the film.