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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we will
have experiences such as these. What we learn from them, about who we are
as well as about who they are, will help us make the world a better place, if we
let it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Just because someone says something with anger,
doesn't mean it isn't true, or that we should not listen to them, even though it
is harder to listen to them. at the same time, we have to take everything
with a grain of salt -- and I think you were wise for moving on ahead of him
after hearing what he had to say.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>peace,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Michael B</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </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 title=MGParkeraaol.com href="mailto:MGParkeraaol.com">M Parker</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
href="mailto:GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU">GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, January 25, 2003 12:06
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Anti-American
sentiment</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Sofia, Yes, there ARE unpleasant people
everywhere. Where I live is no exception. <BR><BR>It's just that I
was OUT there, by myself and trusting in the goodness of people on the
Camino. I chose not to travel with any group or did not gravitate to
Americans for security and therefore felt somewhat vulnerable. This
young man was just an extremely unhappy person, and venting was a habit for
him. I was warned about him before I even met him, because he was
so well known for spreading ill will toward Americans.<BR><BR>In all, I
felt safer and more accepted on the Camino than any other public
place.....in Europe or in the US, for that matter. The
Spanish who live along the Camino could not have been more cordial. I grew
VERY fond of many of the pilgrims I met and I continue to correspond with
several of them. A few, I expect to have long term friendships
with. <BR>Marianne<BR><BR><BR>
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