This morning started off quite nice as the weather was overcast and cool which I much prefer to 100 degree heat! Not long after I began walking I met a pilgrim from Italy. As we walked we conversed in a mix of english, italian, and spanish. It was the usual conversation in the beginning of where we will be going for the day. We came into a small town right before the Hill of Perdition and had a cup of coffee. He asked if he could continue to walk with me. I explained my plan to skip the Hill and walk the road. The downhill side is marked as dangerous as it is very steep and covered with rocks. Last year I took a cab from the town where we had coffee to the small town on the other side. After a bit of discussion he convinced me I really should go to the top. It was slow going but well worth it once I got up there. Instead of taking the steep downhill we took the road which added a few kilometers. Although it was worth the climb it did put a big strain on my body. So the very next town we say down for a drink. I decided it was best to stop walking for the day at this point.
As we were seated there I met another wonderful lady by the name of Charlotte. We began trading stories and Pietro told her how he was excited for me be able to do the climb. This led to an exchange of stories. She asked about my previous Camino and so I began to tell her just small bit of it and how I walked using the cane. Before I had finished another pilgrim came to sit down. Immediately she says “I remember you! You have walked in 2012! We met then” Turns out she is only walking for ten days and yet there we were both on the Camino again at the same time. It is such a small world. Her from Italy, me from America and both of us coming back at the exact same time!
Amazing to remeet her! I love it!!