Suggestions About Dealing With Anti-American Sentiment on the Camino

[Douglass Norvell]

Response to Concerns that Americans Walking the Camino a Santiago de
Compostela will Encounter Anti-American Sentiment .

By Douglass G. Norvell, Ph.D.

I share your concern about encountering anti-American sentiments on the
Camino.  Regretfully, some Europeans and even hapless Canadians may scold,
harass or otherwise intimidate patriotic Americans.  This behavior may be
dealt with in several ways.

One way is to adopt a patronizing tone and simply explain the issue to the
unenlightened.  Explain that America and Americans are strong, brave and
beautiful, as are our Spanish compatriots who stepped forward in support of
godlike George Bush during the ongoing wars of liberation in the Persian
Gulf.  Spaniards understand power and how to use it.  They were the first to
acquire and the last to lose their own colonies.

If unenlightenment prevails, try explaining by comparison.  Africa can be a
useful example at this point, as a counterpoint to the stellar human rights
record of the United States of America. Point out that African leaders, once
entrenched, invariably set out to enrich themselves as quickly as possible.
Point out that while Americans help their minorities to prosper, Africans
discriminate against out of favor tribes and sometimes eat them.  Is their
any more serious form of oppression than to eat the disadvantaged?

If, at this point, you have failed to convince the miscreant, you may need
to set aside patience and use force.  A good smack to the head with a stout
club will get most harassers off your back.  But think twice before you use
the Bo Peepish staff sold by roadside vendors near the Spanish trailhead.
These staff are strictly defensive weapons useful only on dogs and
Frenchies.

When it comes time to smack heads a good two by four will get the job done
proper.  I plan to buy an eight footer in Madrid and cut it into three
pieces; one for me, one for the little lady, and another to save for you, if
you wish.

If your harasser out weighs you by twenty pounds, or if you are a woman
stricken by a man, it is permissible to use a board  with a nail in the end.

----- Original Message -----
From: Sarah Leiser <sarahdoddaEARTHLINK.NET>
To: <GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2003 8:17 PM
Subject: which months are 'summer'?


> I need to plan my walk a bit carefully; I have all the info I need about
> the towns and hostels. A few hostels are only opened in summer. I'll be
> there late April/early May, which I think may be too early to stop in one
> which says open in 'summer'. Is that correct?  I'm sure someone out there
> knows the answer to my question. Many thanks, Sarah