Searching...

After dinner tonight some of us were talking with a man staying at the hostel with us.  He is Scottish and is an artist.  I believe he is staying here long term and came to the island for work.  He said that for the past two years he has been talking to various people that come to the hostel and everyone is searching for something, even if they do not realize it.  He said some people are searching for God, or something spiritual, while others are searching for something more tangible, like birds.  Even if they say they are not searching for something, they are…according to him.  He also said that sometimes he doesn’t pick up on things about people until after he gets back to his room (or the caravan…he stays in the caravan most nights apparently) and he just starts drawing.  His subconscious picks up on things and he puts it on paper.

Some new people came into the hostel today.  One couple came just for the beauty of the island.  I asked them if they came for the pilgrimage and the man wasn’t even aware that this was a pilgrimage spot.  They were going to various islands in the area (they had just come from Skye) and this was on the list.  I explained why it was a pilgrimage spot and that you can still do the pilgrimage (it involves going out to where St. Columba landed…when I do it I will explain further).  He was very interested in that.  I was just fascinated that for a spot that is known for its sacredness can still attract people for its beauty.  And I realize I use the term fascinate a lot lately.  I guess because this is just an extraordinary experience…not like anything I have done before.  Everything is fascinating!