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LIVE from the Camino Was I conned or what?

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It was a scam.
I don't think so - just read the story to the end. Buen Camino, SY
Who knows.....perhaps it started off as a scam. But the following day, as @alexwalker described it, he paid some attention to the old widow, showed that he cared, assisted her as he did, and showed her some kindness - perhaps the first bit of kindness she had experienced for months - and her heart was softened and she responded accordingly. One of our members recently likened the giving of charity to the story of the abbé in Les Misérables giving the candlesticks to Valjean and wondered if she could do the same. Well, I like to think that our story here is along the same lines.

Sometimes my imagination makes me very happy.
 
I had a couple of pilgrims ask me for money along the CF.

If you cannot afford to do a Camino then aren't you better off saving up rather than relying on others?
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
I had a couple of pilgrims ask me for money along the CF.

If you cannot afford to do a Camino then aren't you better off saving up rather than relying on others?

No.

Some could have money but due to some circumstances have not enough that day to go further.

Some might have found themselves in an exceptional situation that day that required money.

Yes, some might not have enough " savings " to begin with in the first place.
Especially some of my fellow Europeans who just can start from their door ( no airfaretickets to pay ) with walking do not always have enough funds to sponsor their endeavour. It is not my preferred way of living ( because I have the luck of some savings and being a control freak ) but if they are ok with it who am I to judge.

And yes than there are the professional Camino wanderers / pilgrims who make a living on this Camino. Sometimes doing the odd job here and there and turn to asking for money.

All these four examples are for me a metaphor of what could happen in " real life " too.
 
I see both points of view...I think a bit of planning should go into such a trip, including investigation of exchange rates and calculation of costs. OTOH stuff happens. I have been blessed, yet once left my wallet in the Pentagon and held up a long line at a toll booth scraping up pennies off of my car floor. As someone else pointed out, we are never forced to give. And I am grateful I've never had to beg.
 
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Stephen,
I met this couple last September while I was coming down to Acebo on from Alto Altar Major. They also said they were Hungarians coming from Santiago and returning home on foot. They also asked for money as they were pennyiless. I gave them one euro and hurried downhill as this seemed to me very strange and also felt very unsafe as I was totally on my own in rhis remote area.
 
Hi Stephen...I came across this Hungarian couple whole I was going down to Acebo from Alto Altar Mayor...some time late September. They were going uphill and stopped me asking for money. They said they came from Santiago and were walking back home and had no money. They looked very tired. This seemed a bit strange to me and gave them a euro whicj I hsd in my picket. To be honest I was a lone pilgrime and there was no one to be seen in this remote area. I felt quite insecure to take out my wallet.
Buen Camino
 

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