Suggestions About Dealing With Anti-American Sentiment on the Camino

[Lydia Banales]

I thought we had put an end to politicizing the Camino. Please stop.
Thank you. Lydia

Douglass Norvell wrote:

>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
>>
>>
>
>
>

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