safety et al

[ecaldwellabcanet.org]

I agree that I felt very safe on the camino, as did many others.  But one
just needs to be smart, as James states.  As someone who travels a lot,
take it from me it is always smart to have someone at home have a copy of
your passport in case it is lost or stolen, and copy any other information
to help get you back on the road again.  I've even had photo copies of my
tickets back home.  It all deepends, one just has to be smart.  I know of
two attempted robberies, I think it's just reality... you never know what
can happen...and robberies happen everywhere.  Though again, I agree it is
probably one of the safest places I know of...

As for the foreign language thing...occasionally I forget about the 'reply'
on the listserv really means 'reply all'.  I didn't want to fall into the
non-related-camino e-mails.  I will be more careful next time.

As for another book:
Pilgrims Stories, A Road to Santiago
I think that is the name of it.  I have looked everywhere in my house for
it, and can't find it to get the correct title.  After reading the book I
was very excited about el camino.  However, I think reading too much can
also be a hinder.  People will experience what the are going to experience.
And if you read too much, in my opinion, it can make you expect things that
aren't there, and put you in a different mind set.  It's hard to explain, I
hope you understand.

Peace and buen camino,
Emily

Original Message:
-----------------
From: James R Eyskens jeyskensaAUSTIN.RR.COM
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2003 18:43:08 -0400
To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
Subject: safety et al


I think the Camino is overall the safest 500 or so miles anywhere in the
world, but that doesn't preclude you from taking basic precautions.  I met
an Australian in a plaza in Pamplona, who had had his passport and credit
cards taken from his rucksack.  When we talked firther, it seems the fellow
had dropped his pack by the plaza fountain and then wandered off to find a
beer or whatever.  His pack wasn't within his line of sight.  What
surprised me was that the thief left anything behind!

Both as a pilgrim and a Hospitalero, I noticed that pilgrims were
incredibly careless with their belongings, leaving rucksacks all over, butt
packs with credit cards and passports on tables in cafes and going to the
bathroom, or just going off to talk to friends.  I think the fact that
there is such little thievery speaks volumes aboutt the honesty of the
pilgrims and the citizens living along the camino.  I heard stories in 2001
and again in 2002 of a lone woman walker being raped, but never heard any
verifying details.  I don't know if this a 'Camino rumor' or truth.  The
incident happened at Burgos, at Leon, at Hospital de Obrigo, depending on
the teller.

As far as the subject of whether or not Americans are, or should be multi
lingual seems to be a bit far off the subject, as was the spate of criminal
justice comments a few days back.  But if this happens to be the topic of
the day, so be it.

Jim Eyskens

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