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<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>With regards to hostels, I suggest going to
the nearest college and asking if you can spend a few nights sleeping in
their commons room and using the dorm bathrooms. This might be good
prep.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>You will soon lose a lot of inhibitions and
sense of "steril" cleanliness to which Americans have gotten used to. It
is a good way to ponder the living conditions of those less
fortunate.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>I remember someone once complained about
mildew on the beds, and I eh gads, but then I looked at my pants and realized
they were mildewed too, so what was I complaining about.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Some of the best refugios were those I
would be scarred to consider staying in over here in the US - but on they
camino, they somehow had "character!" </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Seriously, though, I didn't find but a
couple that weren't in at least passing cleanliness, but none of them are four
star hotels. Imagine what you would get in the U.S. for $3.00 (yup, just
two dollars) a night, cause that is usually what you will be paying for a
refugio.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>