Camino classes reflection

 I love talking about long distance hiking and trails because it inspires me to spend more time outdoors and hiking overall- frankly I have been inspired to do a long distance hike for real now. Trails like the AT and Camino de Santiago have interested me for a long time, the thrill of walking and seeing the beauty and simplicity all around is the appealing factor. This class has shown me that hiking is so much more than just walking with the people you care about or know. It is a different beauty all in itself, a connection to God, others and family. God speaks out in the woods, and really when we are least expecting it. The beauty comes if we are willing to wait. Another thing I took from learning about the Camino trail was to not be afraid of having an experience. Dr. Redick has taught me about the sense of adventure and pure joy that comes with having an adventure. I was also thinking about how cute it is that the scallop shell is used as a trail marker, because it is the symbol of the Camino trail and it has an importance- so it is used. In the US, there are things that could be used similar to the scallop shell but instead it is just paint on a tree. I have enjoyed learning about the hospitality of the trail and how people are so interested in getting to know each other. I really wish the US was like that. All of my life I have loved traveling and seeing the world, and this class has taught me that that is okay and a good thing to do.