what is a pilgrim?

a "pilgrim" is defined as someone who embodies his devotion or thanks by way of taking it on the road. the destination varies according to the nature of the pilgrimage but in my case i wanted to step away momentarily from my material possessions and enjoy the people i would meet and the places i would visit in the presence of that moment. the way i see it, this is one way of making direct connections with the world and within myself. feels good to achieve that goal.

so that answers the "what is" question., how about the question "how does one identify a pilgrim?" some may say it's the scallop shell hanging off their backpack, but not all pilgrims subscribe to it. others may say it's the walking sticks and the noise they make against the pavement as the kilometres roll away, but not all pilgrims carry a stick. i say the easiest way to identify a pilgrim is to look for the telltale farmer tan: any flesh between the sockline and shorts or below the shoulders is nicely tanned while everything else remains pale as a white baby's bottom!