Our first, very windy day, was a struggle for Anne. Our last Camino was in 2019, and of course, she hoped that she could climb back onto the Camino track, walking 15 km a day, without missing a beat. We made no Caminos for the next two years due to covid. But during that time, arthritis, a knee with worn-out meniscus and neuroma in one foot have made themselves known.

So the walking was not so easy for Anne. But the day was brightened when we met Carla, who is on Instagram at young_farmer_girl. Full of vivacious energy, and possessing very good English, her curiosity and good humor made us feel special, putting a bit more vim into Anne’s step when they continued on the path.

Going slower and slower, Anne was caught up by Jinhie, a young professional from the Bay Area. Jinhie had walked on the Via Francigena OVER THE ALPS by way of St Bernard’s Pass — a marvelous accomplishment. She courteously slowed her pace to walk with me for a bit, while she told me of her recent graduation and a new job waiting at the approaching end of her Camino.

We were stuck: after struggling for five hours in the wind the day before, Anne needed to rest for a day from walking. But we were in the tiny hamlet of Robbio on a Sunday. The single Sunday train and single Sunday bus had both already left early in the morning. There were no taxis, said the bar keepers (in Italy, bars serve coffee as much or more than liquor) but they asked someone who knows English to speak with us.

That someone was Happy, a beautiful young woman from Taiwan married to a local from Robbio. She was at the bar as a Chinese tutor to the owners’ children. When she learned of our plight she offered to return after lunch to drive us where we needed to go. We learned about her life in many parts of the world, included Texas and Louisiana, and we made a new friend.

Lesson from the Camino: adversity and vulnerability create encounters in which others respond with kindness and friendship.