Nope, Dorie, they still walk a lot more than we do, and they realize that we don't do as much. I have leg problems, so I have trouble walking more than a nominal amount. We kid about the fact that anything you want to see in Germany is either up or down from where you are !! On our recent trip, after a LOT of walking, I just ouldn't do the stairs reqauired to see this one "must." One of the Germans in the group, without a second thought, said, "yes, you Americans just don't walk as much as we do," and that was the answer to my problem :-))) And it's true. Except more walking isn't the answer for me. I remember, when we were in Heilbronn in the military (1959-60) our German acquaintances would eat a hearty noon meal on Sunday, then walk out to the village of Lauffen and back. The round trip was 20km -- over 12 miles !! Then a good Abendtisch of sausages, Broetchen, cheeses, jams, jellies, wine/beer, etc. An perhaps a Jaegermeister to chase it all !! Hardy folk then, and a lot of them still are -- they put our physical condition to shame. Dave Ross

Are you sure more walking isn't the answer? You might try it and see. An 82 year old woman finished third from last--and ahead of two women almost half her age--in the Avon event I mentioned. Start off slowly, 10 minutes a day (MOST days of the week--that's 3-4) and increase by 10 minutes each week. In six weeks you might be amazed at the changes in your body and how you feel. --Besides, it will give you more stamina to stay on your feet longer in the kitchen. :-) --And you'll be able to eat more! Next week's long training walk for me will be a 10-miler. But last year I could hardly walk a 100 yds without my calfs tightening up and cramping. Everything about my life is improved since then. Theola ******************************************************** Except more walking isn't the | answer for me. | | I remember, when we were in Heilbronn in the military (1959-60) our German | acquaintances would eat a hearty noon meal on Sunday, then walk out to the | village of Lauffen and back. The round trip was 20km -- over 12 miles !! | Then a good Abendtisch of sausages, Broetchen, cheeses, jams, jellies, | wine/beer, etc. An perhaps a Jaegermeister to chase it all !! | | Hardy folk then, and a lot of them still are -- they put our physical | condition to shame. | | Dave Ross | | ______________________________