"For twenty-three years I've been dying to tell you what I thought of you! And now... well, being a Christian woman, I can't say it!" -- Auntie Em; Wizard of Oz
If you cannot say something nice, then say nothing at all. My mother used that phrase quite often and I know from experience that it is excellent advice. I have been thinking about that phrase a lot during the past few weeks.
I recently received a certified letter asking (demanding) me to retract my 10 May, 2009 blog post.
The individual who sent the request is not happy with the way I depicted my experience.
My narrative is representative of my experience. And I was not the only one who felt bullied and ill-treated that night. Other pilgrims who shared accommodations with me that night were equally angered and bitter about their experiences. Several times in the next few weeks I would cross paths with two fellow pilgrims (one a Canadian minister and the other a grieving woman from the USA) and listen as they vented and raged about their experience.
I truly believe the hostess was totally oblivious to how uncomfortable she was making here boarders feel (though when you make people weep, that is usually a clue that one has pushed the limits of civility.)
Part of me is inclined to simply remove my earlier comments. Let it go. Take the high road. Do not get down on her level. Consider her intentions.
I guess I could tone down my comments a bit or even rescind them, but the more I think about it the more manipulated I feel.
Sigh.
I am still struggling with this.
Despite it all, I am grateful I stopped there. The museum is beautiful. And I learned a few things about human nature.
Monday, March 22, 2010
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6 comments:
Sorry this is coming back at you now. Keep the post - I remembered it, but considered it a good reminder that there are many very-human people along the journey and I thought you were fair and controlled in what you wrote. As someone said in the comments, you would have benefited from warnings written by others - perhaps your post will be timely for someone else who, for whatever reason, is needing more nurturing than you experienced and they will pass by to another stop. You should be true to your own experience for the sake of others.
Ginn - keep the post. It IS your experience. People have a choice of reading it or not reading it. Chin up buttercup.
Ahhhhhh as soon as I read this I thought I knew which albergue you might be meaning....even without reading your post.... and when I finally read the word museum I knew I was right.
I haven't read your post yet, but I know there have been warnings in the forum about this very place....
It will be your decision whether or not you change your post..... but the bullying itself sends a clear message to others in any case.
Now I will go and read your post!
Tried to find it but couldn't. Is it still up there?
Found it. Your comments are hardly out of line if that truly is how you were treated and given that you were not the only person, your words are fair warning. By then, you were a seasoned pilgrim so it is not as though you were out on your first night not aware of pilgrim protocol. Sigh. Should I ever go back to the Camino, I will bear in mind this place.
So glad you left your post up. So very, very glad. <3
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