Claire writes: “It’s been a few weeks since I wrote about The Camino. I’m now busy learning Spanish because I recognise that a) it will be an advantage next time and b) it is not OK for me to expect others always to revert to English.

A couple of days before the end of our camino, we were walking along a particularly busy path.  A crowd of French people walked past and one of them came up next me with the usual Spanish greeting ‘Hola’ (hello) and I responded ‘Hola, hablas ingles’ (do you speak English). He replied in French – parlez vous Français? Well I did – well – 40 years ago. We began a most interesting conversation. The structure is there and my vocabulary is weak – and probably weaker after 5 weeks of hearing Spanish.  

What struck me most about this Frenchman was his desire to include me in the conversation without trying to save me. He let me try and only offered me words to support at just the right time. I felt empowered. There’s an art to inclusion and being on the receiving end is one small step to learning to do it better.”

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