And now on to the journal...

I'm still sitting in the Scottish tea room.  It is very peaceful (aside from crazy comments coming from Dr. Bell and Topher).

We briefly discussed in class the difference in merchandise here versus Lourdes.  In Lourdes it seemed very touristy with images of Jesus and Mary everywhere.  In Iona, the merchandise is more of symbols (Celtic crosses, Celtic knots, etc).  Icons vs. Symbols.  As well, in Lourdes the merchandise is all factory made (probably in China) while in Iona much of it is handmade (oftentimes on the island).  What is also interesting is that even though there are only a handful of shops on the island they have a wide variety of items for sale.  In Lourdes, there were so many shops yet all the products were the same.  Lourdes, though it was a pilgrimage spot, had a more materialistic feel to it.  Iona, on the other hand, has a very organic feel to it.  It is very interesting to experience within a few days of each other.

While sitting here in the tearoom I was able to overhear a conversation between two people.  The woman (about in her 30s) was an American, Lutheran minister here on a pilgrimage with a group on a spiritual journey.  She was discussing that they came here because of the spiritual draw to it.  She was talking to an older gentleman (who was not a part of the group because the minister said it was a women's trip). 

And the tearoom is closed, so I must go for now.  I will update later.