Teacher's Guide
ACTIVITY 3
CROSSROADS OF THE ALPS
In this beautifully written essay, Christie Cochrell describes her archaeological expedition to Saint Bernard Pass. But her description also serves as a metaphor for her own passage from a difficult time of her life to the start of a more hopeful time. These questions will help guide you at both literal and metaphorical levels.
1. Why did Cochrell approach Saint Bernard Pass from Italy rather than Switzerland? Why was it important to her to start the journey on her own?
2. Why did Cochrell choose to go to such a daunting place for her vacation? What were her hopes for the trip? Her fears? Could you imagine doing the same?
3. The monastery she visits encourages its visitors "to live life as an ascent." What does this phrase mean to you? How would you describe the way you live life?
4. Cochrell mentions that after the American archaeologists arrived at the monastery, they were talking about finding an ATM machine. What makes the situation ironic?
5. What does the morgue Cochrell finds in the mountain symbolize about her journey?
6. Cochrell describes the isolation of the monastery and feeling of being far away from everything. Have you ever felt that way visiting a remote place or a place very different from your home? Describe how it felt.
7. What does rescue mean to you? Have you ever been rescued from a scary situation? (Remember that we’re using symbolism here, so you might write about a way you felt rescued, although you might not have been in actual danger.) How do the monks live out the mission of rescuing?
8. The essay describes the many layers of the past that the archaeologists are stripping away. What does their work symbolizes?
9. Cochrell describes a rainbow on the lake and reflects on her journey. What does she mean when she writes that the pass is a means?
10. Now focus only on the metaphor and strip away the literal journal. Write a summary of the author’s metaphorical journey. Then hold a small group discussion on how a spiritual journey might be something many people go through. Think about a "passage" you have made and write about the literal journey. Then write the same story in a symbolic way, as Cochrell does.
