THE PILGRIMAGE TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA III: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON SLOW TRAVEL

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1 THE PILGRIMAGE TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA III: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON SLOW TRAVEL Santiago de Compostela is a pilgrimage done by foot. We will be taking the French route, which begins at the French-Spanish border and ends in the city of Santiago de Compostela (Galicia), the burial grounds of St. James. The route has a cultural, religious, historical significance, as well as a mathematical and scientific background (The Medieval pilgrims followed the starts to complete their journey; it was a knowledge of astronomy). Anyone is capable of doing this trip if they have the desire and have undergone the physical preparation necessary to complete the trip. The focus of this course is a journey of the mind, body, and soul. The theme of SLOW TRAVEL is also explored emphasizing connections to the culture and offering opportunities to become part of local life and to connect to a place and its people along the way, besides it is necessary to consider that speed destroys the connection with landscape. Slow travel restores it. By choosing to travel slowly, we reshape our relationship with the place and with the communities through which we pass on our journey. The journey (mostly by foot, with train and bus segments) will start on May 6 and extend to May 26, 2013 (however, the travel will start on May 2 and we return to SLC on May 28). We will mostly follow the historic Camino Francés (French Way) to the cathedral and shrine of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, Spain. We will start walking in St Jean Peid de Port (border between Spain and France) then to Roncesvalles and will follow the Camino Francés. For almost four weeks, we will live the simple life, carry what we need on our backs, sleep in simple quarters called refugios or albergues, and experience the Spanish countryside and the incredible people of Spain and from the world. We will have experiences on the trail that can't be replicated elsewhere.

2 The two integrated courses Spanish and Mathematics offer a broad perspective on the political, social, economic, linguistic, cultural, and scientific context of the road to Santiago and on the idea of pilgrimage itself, also will support or develop the Global perspective of the Slow Travel. We will explore many important historical cities and sites along or near the road. In addition, we will investigate the Spanish language, literature, and history of northern Spain through lectures, discussions of assigned readings, and student presentations. The mathematics component will be both computational and historical. A small part of the course will serve to familiarize students with such topics as unit conversion, dimensional analysis, the golden mean, and basic notions of algebra. The historical component will discuss the confluence of factors in medieval Spain that led to the development and diffusion of mathematical ideas throughout all of Western Europe. The cultural and Literature component will refer to the Spanish Language and Medieval Literature (oral tradition, Romances, El Cid, Alfonso X the wise, the Jews, Moors and Christians) and the global function of the Camino. Both Mathematic and Spanish will emphasizes the Slow Travel movement in a living experience along the way. Another important component will be physical: preparing for the Camino and then walking the route will require fitness and discipline. A student can earn 4 credit hours in either Spanish or Mathematics for this course.

3 Two friends Walking friends in 2007, walking alone in 2007, walking with Robert Brikman in 2010 Almost arriving in Santiago, feeling fully immersed in the culture. The group of Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage I, in 2007 After days of tremendous efforts, dedication, experiences, service to others along the way, helping others with tired feet, knowing and making friends from different countries and Spanish regions, finding real heroes, learning about new places and cultures from the Pyrenees Mountains to Pamplona, trudged through the wine district of La Rioja, then made our way through the city of Burgos and across Spain s high and barren central plains, finally, the arrival was there: Santiago! The capital city of autonomous Community of Galicia. Yes! It was the right place to know that the lived experiences were unique, the goal was accomplished, our view of culture was widen because we were fully immersed in the Spanish and global culture, we were filled with a joy and gratitude

4 that we never forget, and we gained confidence in our Spanish Language skills. PLEASE NOTE WELL: This is a lengthy walking trip that requires that you be in excellent physical condition. While we will stay in simple but comfortable accommodations every night, we will often be walking for five or more hours daily, covering as many as 18/20 miles, while carrying our own weight, the clothes on our backs, and the bare necessities to complete the journey. The trip leaders have arranged for a physical fitness program and all trip participants will take part. Some health problems, of course, may arise and will be dealt with through the route's health care facilities. But remember: the goal is to be able to carry pounds plus water on your back for up to 18 miles every day for four weeks. Be honest with yourself and your classmates, and prepare! REQUIRED HIKES SCHEDULES: ATTENDANCE AT PHYSICAL FITNESS PREPARATION 15% of your grade Saturday Dec - 4 mile group walk, no gear required except water and dress for the weather: roughly 9:30-11 am Saturday January - 7 mile group walk, have boots and pack, SNACKS AND WATER INSIDE! roughly 9-11:30 am Saturday February - 10 mile walk, have boots, pack and all gear: roughly 9-1 pm Saturday March-12+ mile walk, all gear and whatever gear revisions needed 9:30 AM Saturday April and Sunday April 14 mile walk, Full gear, 8:30 AM-noon ATTENDANCE PRE-TRIP LECTURES 10% of your grade Monday, November, 2012, 7:30-8:40 PM Friday February or March, 9-9:30 AM Friday April, 5-7 PM, two days before our departure. Lecture, review presentations, gear/documentation revisions and etc. Buen Camino! Friday May 30, 11 AM- 1 PM, it is post trip lecture and party. EQUIPMENT: Each destination along the way will have most of the amenities, and at no time does the Camino stray far from villages or major roads, so the gear does not need to be comprehensive. In fact, the lighter the better, because you will be walking four to six hours each day. Everyone needs good shoes or boots, a light sleeping bag (refugios sometime do not have blankets), a light backpack, a couple of changes of clothes, water bottles, a hat, sunscreen, etc. The whole kit should not be more than 20 lbs. ACCOMODATIONS: We will be staying in private refugios and small hotels along the way. The accommodations are usually dormitory-style. GEAR REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TRIP 1. Lightweight, comfortable backpack (w/rain cover or w/plastic bag inside) preferably one that rides high with a waist/chest belt (like an avalanche pack that works well to keep it high

5 and off of the small of the back) with a built-in water bladder and rain guard to keep things dry. 2. Valid passport 3. Comfortable, broken-in hiking boots 4. 2 pair hiking socks 5. 2 pair underwear or Three pairs, dark colors. We recommend boxer briefs with the longer, tight fitting legs (they now have a spandex style boxer brief with the longer legs) especially if you lose weight and your pants start rubbing from side to side chapping in the leg region is not pleasant. (Women, as odd as it sounds, you may want to use these as wellbike shorts are not recommended as they are difficult to get up and down on the trail especially when it is raining) 6. 2 outer shirts, 1 or 2 undershirts (SPF/quick dry is best) 7. Lightweight fleece jacket 8. Sleep wear (tank top and shorts are best) 9. Rain/wind jacket with hood 10. Lightweight sleeping bag. The sleeping bag must be lightweight and compact to fit in your pack.the refugios or albergues are cozy and warm so you don t need anything heavy. If it gets cold, blankets and extra bedding may be found. Silk Liner Weight 4.5 Ounces Well worth it. Bring a lightweight cover for your pillow, or use your raincoat 11. Sunscreen, small tube, and lip balm tube 12. Water vessel, at least one quart 13. Quick dry towel 14. Essential medications to last 28 days, and a copy of prescription for emergency 15. Bar/dry soap/shampoo (could buy it in Spain) 16. Journal and pen 17. Flashlight 18. Flip flops or other sandal/light shoes for evening. They will need to be sized with the socks you will wear and be broken in prior to the trip also best to buy them at the end of the day when your feet are a little swollen. A pair of Keene s would be beneficial for a change of shoes at the end of the day, they aren t too heavy and are good for the showers, which are all tiled so you need something to keep you on your feet. There is a new meaning to "slippery" when you're wet in the refugio showers. Also you want to avoid athlete s foot! 19. Money for food/personal purchases 20. Personal first aid items, such as moleskin for blisters, bandages, tape, etc. 21. Hygiene supplies. Toothbrush, Hairbrush or comb. 22. Two pair pants (daytime/hikers, evening comfy fleece or yoga-type light knit) or 2 bandanas for multi-use 24. Small package of tissue or toilet paper, with small plastic trash sack OPTIONAL: 1. Walking poles (must be collapsible to fit in the group's checked bag) 2. Gloves 3. hat/visor 4. Camera 5. Guidebook

6 6. Bilingual dictionary 7. Extra plastic bags for your own trash and for trail clean-up 8. Small paperback type book, magazine (or ipod, at your own risk) for trains/planes/bus rides 9. Travel sheet (silk sac)