Michael Hatch_Reflection#1

Michael Hatch
Pilgrimage, Hume
Labyrinth Project Question #1 

 “Perhaps one day tired of circling the world I'll return to Argentina and settle in the Andean Lakes if not indefinitely then at least for a pause while I shift from one understanding of the world to another.” (pg 28) -- Motorcycle Diaries

     On an unusual cloudy day in sunny Los Angeles, we, the pilgrimage class began a journey designed to truly embrace Che’s weariness of “circling the world.” This statement speaks truth to me both literally and figuratively, literally in the sense that our mission for today was to create twelve concentric circles in the middle of Arden Lawn, something much easier said than done. The word “tired” was also very relevant to our effort as it took us a fair amount of time and effort to perfect our craft, and like any pilgrimage there were bumps in the road that we had to overcome. The bumps included a material malfunction as well as a fair amount of disagreement among us with regard to the best way to build the labyrinth. By talking it through and working together, we were able to sort it out which helped bring about “understanding of the world to another,” which, in turn, allowed us to become closer by understanding the way we worked and acted together and resulted in us working together as an effective and efficient unit. As a result, we were able to complete the twelve circles with insane speed, which gave us a chance to “pause while [we] shift from” laying the string out for the circles to thinking about the next actions that needed to be taken and ways to improve or enhance the labyrinth such as by curving the edges of the turns. I was amazed by all of the good ideas generated as well as by how we all listened to one another in a way where efficiency and perfectionist combined in a perfect blend. I also experienced a great sense passion in connection with our endeavor. I realized the joys of being with my friends, doing something meaningful together, and the camaraderie we experienced. It brought to mind the type of pilgrimages undertaken by comrades together in arms, just like that undertaken by Che and Alberto. Another emotion I experienced was how, during the course of a pilgrimage, it is okay to make mistakes because if enough people put their minds into a resolution a resolution will be made apparent. This was illustrated by the situation we encountered where we used green paint and white paint to fix blemishes in the labyrinth. To me, this quotation speaks directly to the labyrinth and its use of circles, as well as to discovering who we are through this journey. I am truly able to see how Che’s, The Motorcycle Diaries, embraces the project and how as a senior, as I walk the labyrinth I realize that I will soon have to shift from an child to an adult.