Language, please! (Ep2)(bg)

My minuscule Portuguese continues to both assist and bewilder. The delightful Pau was our host 2 nights ago in Alvaiázere at a lovely new hostel. Being new to the business he was eager to please - but since he only knew Portuguese he used a little hand held voice translator - which was about 50% reliable. Toby, one of our fellow travelers lost her room key, and was trying to communicate that Pau - and she was having no luck. Suddenly my Duolingo lessons pop to mind and I blurt out “Ele não tenho chave!” Pau eyes brighten and says “Oh! Sim (“yes)” and begins to make her a new key card. These tiny little language successes give me a “delight booster” and reinforce the deep human desire to connect.

Pau continued to be extraordinarily gracious driving us over and back to our restaurant that night (an outstanding place for one of our best dinners so far). He also drove us back over to the Camino trail in the morning. When we offered him €20 Euros for all the shuttling around he pushed back repeatedly but I insisted and shook his hand with the bill in my palm. He actually got a little emotional and everyone in our group was moved. Obrigado Pau!

(Next to me in photo below: Tina from Berlin - a 7 time Camino veteran, Pau, Michelle and Toby, our new friend from Maine)