[Gocamino] New to the list

[Glenn]

Lori,



I would have to agree with Renato on the perceptions of Americans abroad.  I 
myself am American, but I have many family connections in Germany and speak 
German.  My first time outside the country was in the early 1970s, when  I 
actually lived in Germany for 2 years.  I was amazed at the difference in 
world views of Americans and Europeans.  I wisely was advised to be polite 
and listen with an open mind.  It was an education that was more important 
than my college experience.

When I first walked the Camino in 2005, I too had the impulse to pretend to 
be Canadian, but resisted that.  I took my relatives advice given long ago 
and was polite humble, and open minded, and respectful of other ways of 
looking at life.  At the end of the Camino many people said that I was the 
first American they met that they enjoyed being with. I took that as a 
compliment.  (But also it is a statement of how far we have to go to improve 
our image).

Be informed on world events.  I was asked 2 years ago, "why don't Americans 
care about Global Warming and the environment",  and of course I was asked 
about the War.  Europeans seem to appreciate a good discussion, and someone 
that listens as well as talks.  If you don't know much Spanish, at least 
learn the courtesies like Please, Thank you, and Hola!!! and smile a 
lot....smiling is the universal language.

You will have a great time and meet wonderful people!!!

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Jethess777 at aol.com>
To: <Gocamino at oakapple.net>
Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2007 1:28 AM
Subject: Re: [Gocamino] New to the list


> Howard, I totally agree!
>
>     During my camino trip, I found no problems with being an American.
> While I did not advertise it loudly, most would figure that out, as my 
> Spanish
> has a decidedly American accent.   They asked questions, certainly, and 
> seemed
> very curious about what my opinions were.   I considered that I was in the
> position of being an ambassador for my country and was very respectful. 
> I never
> felt that I ...or my country ... was 'on trial.'   They seemed only to 
> want an
> honest sharing of ideas and the topics were very diverse from health care
> approaches, to treatment of disaffected youth, to the recent sex scandals 
> in the
> Catholic Church to why I was on the camino to begin with, etc., etc.
>
>     I've traveled extensively in France as an independent traveler at 
> least
> eight times and never had to pretend to be other than an American. 
> Despite
> all the bad press about the French not liking us, I can honestly say that 
> most
> of the French we met could not have been more charming!   If they didn't 
> like
> our government, they were quick to say that they didn't like theirs 
> either.
> We actually heard this comment!   So it goes to prove that they are bright
> enough not to lump us together and think of us as 'Ugly Americans' or have 
> any
> negative opinion of us as individuals when it isn't warranted.   I 
> consider a
> good many Europeans that we have met as our friends and enjoy repeat 
> visits.
>
>     I will agree with other comments that if one is attempt to do a 
> camino,
> one should do quite a bit of preparation for it.   This includes physical
> training and building stamina, experimenting with equipment and deciding 
> what
> works best for you and also to learn the language.   I know that there are 
> those
> who have done the camino without speaking a word of Spanish and certainly 
> it
> can be done, especially on the French route during "high season" when 
> there are
> bound to be other English speakers, BUT, my feeling is that this is rude.
> Any effort at speaking the language is a plus, especially as an 
> independent
> traveler.   It really puts others out to see to your needs when you can't 
> come at
> least halfway.   Another thing is to be respectful of the land.   It was
> offensive to see litter left by pilgrims when there are ample large green 
> trash
> bins along the route.   The lids can easily be lifted with the end of your
> walking stick if you don't want to handle the lid.   Part of spirituality 
> should
> include a desire to return the earth as close to how God made it and 
> preserve it
> that way!
>
> Amen
> Joanie
>
>
>
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