In a message dated 06/15/2001 10:25:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time, GERMAN-LIFE-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: > > Although I can't speak for all Germans, I know that my > > family walks much more than the average American here > > does. In fact, they are always astounded at the number > > and kind of drive-through windows here in the US. > > When we first came to this country back in 1952 my dad would > continue these walking tours he was used to. We'd walk all over > Philadelphia and Fairmount Park it would be right after Church for > the rest of the day. We'd take lunch with us. The trolley cars would > pass us. It was one hell of a trip to Fairmount Park that I can tell > you and the trip there was boring b ut once in the park I could run > around and climb on the statues and we could rent a canoe and life > was fun. > > Fred > I grew up in NJ and the Bronx in the 50's.....very few people owned cars at that time, as a result we walked everywhere. True there were buses but if you were use to walking (and we all were) it was faster to walk and not wait for a bus. I was shocked when we moved to CA and there was little transportation and you needed a car to go places and as a result we drove and I admit, we got somewhat lazy. When my husband and I vacation, we do lots of walking and we never seem to gain wait from all the goodies we treat ourselves to, so I always credit all the walking. Exercise like walking elevates your HDL or good cholesterol. when we returned from trip to Europe and with all the walking we did there, my HDL went from 82 to 98. Moral of the story, go to Europe all the time and walk. Betty