One of the most important parts of a Camino is the people that you meet and interact with. We have met many people along the way, and many of those whom we have interacted with repeatedly, but often just a “Buen Camino” in passing, in part due to the language differences. (And in part because I was once again catching my breath up or down a hill and they were passing by.)
Carlo and Luigi are the exceptional exception! I first met Carlo while waiting in line to check in at Roncesvalles. We chatted for a long time. Carlo is from northern Italy and speaks very good English.
At one point in our conversation an anxious Frenchman cut in between Sean and I. Rather than make a confrontation, I stepped back to join Sean—and Carlo did the same so that we could continue talking…