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<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=292201105-25022004>Hi
fellow pilgrims,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=292201105-25022004></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=292201105-25022004>I
think it's great that most people don't need help with their backpacks. I
made the mistake of having a very heavy backpack (17 kg / 37 lbs) and was very
happy to use the "motorized assistance" on 3 days. We walked 800 km, so it was
only about 10% of the way. My shoulders also appreciated the 3 days off. I did
not feel that I cheated in any way.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=292201105-25022004></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN class=292201105-25022004>I was
pretty fit to start with and walking 30 km a day was not a problem for me. But
next time I attempt the Camino, I would limit the backpack to no more than 10
kg. There was one good thing about carrying the weight though... The end result
was incredibly muscular legs. I did not lose weight, but was able to wear jeans
about 2 sizes smaller on my return. When I came back, I was also asked by a
couple of strangers in my hometown if I was a body builder. :-) I'm not sure if
all pilgrims would welcome leaner legs, but I surely did.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=292201105-25022004></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=292201105-25022004>-Eva </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=292201105-25022004><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>------Deanna wrote-----</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>It may be a matter of honor...if you can carry it without wrecking
your body in some way. I can and will carry my pack because I am blessed with a
strong back. Some folks are not. Some folks even have to be pushed in a
wheelchair. </DIV>
<DIV>For me, I must carry my pack. But some people, even younger and prettier,
may not have such good gears and motors under their fancy chassis as I have
under my 1939 model ! Part of their blessing and their honor is not the
carrying of packs.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Deanna</DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>