Sainte Terre

A few years ago I read Henry David Thoreau’s essay Walking and learned the etymology of the word saunter. In short, according to Thoreau, we assimilated this little verb by virtue of people who “idled” along the path to the Holy Land. They walked slowly, ruminated the spiritual experience in their hearts, and slept under the stars most nights throughout their journey “a la sainte terre”-to the Holy Land. Soon, people on this path were “sainte terrers” or saunterers. More than a verb, adjective, or adverb that describes a slow, methodical pace, it includes the attitude and destination of a person who journeys through life aware and thankful for where they find themselves at each moment. The destination is distinct for each of us and, ultimately, I argue, is not a final place that occupies space and time, but rather is a place that is ubiquitous and intangible, spiritual and personal.

So, why Sainte Terre for a blog on travel, the environment, and philosophical tirades? Because this is a blog that is ultimately about the traveler’s experience, whatever that may be, in the hope that it might resonate with another. It’s an arena to be creative and develop as thinkers and writers and photographers. This is our focus because it helps us and you appreciate the “destination” in its fullest. This blog not only documents the physical places we’ve been, but the how and why and what of the journey. Some posts are objective, but most are subjective. And even the “objective” posts will be brilliantly colored with our own subjectivity; after all, can you really separate yourself from what you perceive and experience? Thank you, Sarte. Nevertheless, this blog is written by student saunterers, many of whom are environment and society students in Denver, Colorado. But we have traveled to China, Patagonia, Africa, Spain, Iceland, as well as to several places here in the U.S. either as interns or simply as curious travelers who try to synthesize classroom concepts with global realities.

If something strikes you, please leave a short note; we always appreciate another perspective.

Sincerely,

The SainteTerre bloggers