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<DIV>I walked the camino in Sept/Nov. of 1999, there were very few people on the camino. the hospitiliers spoke of the large crowds in the summer. All the refugios were open, as I walked into Nov. the tempeture at night dropped into the thirties. But this was mid Nov. some of the refugios are not heated, I had a lightweight sleeping bag, on cold nights I rented a room in the village. I tend to do my traveling in the spring and summer, why deal with the large groups of people that must travel in the summer, (ie teachers and families etc.) if you don't have too? I had a wonderful time and am planning to do it again, I am sure you will also. I notice that many of the questions sent to this board are tinged with anxiety, there is no need for anxiety, the Spanish have been operating this trail for centuries, they have thought of everything the pillgrim would require and are incredibly helpful. As a pillgrim you have the "right" to use military hospitals, you merely sh!
ow your credential and you can see a Dr. If he prescribes meds you pay for them, but the price of meds in Spain is small. I give this as an example of the care and concern the Spanish exhibit for pilgrims. You are in safe hands. Via Con Dios</DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A href="mailto:nrgflowsaMINDSPRING.COM" title=nrgflowsaMINDSPRING.COM>Mary Pennicooke</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A href="mailto:nrgflowsaMINDSPRING.COM" title=nrgflowsaMINDSPRING.COM>GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU</A></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 6/16/02 8:22:56 AM </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Pilgrams returning</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2>
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<DIV>Just the other day I was wondering about all those folks who had left for</DIV>
<DIV>their journey. I was hoping that soon we would start to hear about their</DIV>
<DIV>experiences.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Bernard, WOW, what helpful insight!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I am going in Sept., so I am assuming that there won't be as many people but</DIV>
<DIV>who knows!</DIV>
<DIV>If nothing else, your experience (what was written to us) lets me know that</DIV>
<DIV>I should not "expect" it to be any certain way. I had realized this but once</DIV>
<DIV>again reminded. Thanx!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Anyone else out there just getting back????</DIV>
<DIV>Welcome home!</DIV>
<DIV>May your reintegration go smoothly!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Blessings,</DIV>
<DIV>Mary Pennicooke</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>--- Norman Luttrell</DIV>
<DIV>--- <A href="mailto:normanluttrellaearthlink.net">normanluttrellaearthlink.net</A></DIV>
<DIV>--- EarthLink: It's your Internet.</DIV>
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