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<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=10241217-08012002>Sorry
for them...</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=10241217-08012002>It is
not only a question of "sensibilities of the faithful" that I also
respect.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=10241217-08012002>I
believe many of the "walkers" (not pilgrims) are only exercising and
satisfying an eye and mind curiosity.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=10241217-08012002>That is
also good! No complaints on that!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=10241217-08012002>But
think about a sort of philosophical/theological kind of reflection that you can
do while walking. If just putting a new dimension on the walk in terms of
realizing the meaning of life and the human being in earth. Even if you don't
want to put any spirituality in it still I believe the "caminantes" are a
special group (maybe privileged person) that can afford to doit and to
understand what is going on...</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=10241217-08012002>Why to
keep it only in the restricted dimension of self satisfaction and retirement
totally from the present world?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=10241217-08012002>I feel
sorry to be so long but these are part of my personal thoughts regarding the
pilgrimage and my reaction when someone accepts the simple adventure as
justifiable.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=10241217-08012002>I agree
it might be but also feel responsible to try to convince for
more...</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=10241217-08012002>Jose</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Felipe Sanchez
<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, January 07, 2002 3:45 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU<BR><B>Subject:</B> Motives<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<DIV>Saludos: I traversed the Camino Frances last May and June.
While in the initial portion I communicated with a Director of Friends of
the Camino. I believe the site might have been the Refugio at
Pamplona. With some authority the Director affirmed that only about 5%
to 10% of the pilgrims are motivated by religion or spirituality. The
vast majority, according to him, consider the event an adventure, an outing, a
challenge, an inexpensive, safe, healthy way to spend a month or so. His
categorization reflects the experience I had during 40 days or so during which
I conversed with 50 or so pilgrims and observed many more. I don't mean
to offend the finer sensibilities of the faithful but the reality of a modern,
materialistic, self-centered age often clashes with idealism inherited from
times past. Felipe Sanchez</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>