Soon, I’ll be going to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. This opportunity came up a few months ago and I thought this would be a good time to make my pilgrimage.
The Galapagos Islands are, of course, where Charles Darwin made observations about wildlife and geology from which he later developed his ideas about evolution, which now stands as the unifying cornerstone of all biological sciences. Thus, for a scientist, at least this scientist, visiting the Galapagos Islands is making a pilgrimage to both honor Darwin and to learn more about these fascinating islands and their wildlife.
Others make their pilgrimages to religious cities: Muslims to Mecca, Christians to Bethlehem, Jews to Jerusalem. But, for me, the best pilgrimage I can make is to the Galapagos Islands. I’m looking forward to it.
