The Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker (1)
The above-mentioned title has nothing to do with the book by Alan Sillitoe… or maybe it has…
A pilgrim is the one who knows the place of destination whereas a tramp would never know where he will fall asleep next time. However, their walks of life are completely different. What is in common between the two is that they usually walk. The former would walk for he is a modest human, the latter would do the same as he lacks not only money.
While walking, you give yourself a great opportunity to scrutinize the surrounding. The details seem to be more distinct as what was blurred before in the rush of a day becomes a new spot of your interest.
It is entirely up to you whether you’ll take the advantage or not, whether you’ll become a pilgrim or a wanderer.
If you would like to start your pilgrimage, you have to get rid of things that are too heavy to carry with you. You have to make choice. Throwing something away might not necessarily be a waste.
No doubt Mario & Co. still benefit a great deal from the fame of Thomas Becket by calling themselves Pilgrims — in the summer months at least as many people flock into their headquarters on the hill as those who visit the cathedral. You’re implying that you feel like someone in one group or the other. Personally, at times I felt I belonged to both groups, which is the best part of the Canterbury experience.
As for travelling light, by the end of the second week there you’ll know what burden to throw away.
Things change every day. In fact I’m somewhere between the two groups now. I think being here could be a turning point in my life, but I won’t miss Pilgrims anyway.