Wineries and Waifs

The countryside in the juntas of Castilla and Galicia are full of vineyards and so one day, just past Ponteferrada we decide to stop at a winery- after all it is free tasting plus a guided tour for the sum total of 1 euro.
Ricardo starts the tour by informing us that his wine factory was set up in 1963 to which I reply that this is my birth year. He refutes that this cannot be and says to me very slowly '1963'. I say 'Si-1963', upon which he whips out his i-phone and demands to know the name of the cosmetics brand that I use because whatever I use works- 'how marketable they would be if I would appear on their adverts' he says. Unfortunately I do not use any on a daily basis and only wash my face with soap and water- much cheaper. He then asks me from where do I get my 'glow' then and not to miss an oppertunity I tell him that that probably comes from being loved by God. He is not at all happy with this response and tells me in no uncertain terms that 'being loved by God is not marketable, not at all and shoves his iphone back in his pocket. He gives us a great tour, followed by an 'emparchada' (spanish pie) and some lovely wine. He informs us that mostly, expensive wine is an utter con. The price is set not by how it tastes or how difficult it is to produce but by a board meeting in which the 'bigwigs' decide what they can get away with! He finishes the tour with a request that 'the glowing lady from England' will do a house swap with him and his family. He repeats this 3x and presses his card on me but he is offering a small flat in Ponteferrada that sleeps only 4, so I say I am doubtful, which he takes in  such good humour by offering us all another glass of wine.
I met Lance the following day having a 'roll up' outside a bar, along the Camino. I laughed and said 'You need food not a fag, Lance' to which Francessca retorted 'And have you cleaned your teeth today Lance, mummy Kate wants to know'. So that put me in my place, but I am seriously concerned for this young man. He is emaciated, he has no money and the little he has he spends on fags. He is in such emotional pain from a broken relationship with a woman that he doesn't care if he dies early, he tells me. Later I am having squid and salad at lunchtime in a bar and he is standing at the doorway as it pours down. I invite him in to join me and share my meal but he won't. I leave some squid and tell him that its a shame that it will just be binned. He is not sure if he believes me or not but eventually takes it. I have NOT talked to Lance at all about God- he has been to a big name bible college in America and has a degree in Philosophy. He has had many 'words' about fundamental Christianity (most of which I would probably disagree) but he is just hurting too much and what he needs is food not talk. Whilst I am in the loo I get a prompt from God to 'love him' by giving him money and so begins a conversation with Lance in which I try and give him money for food.
'No No' he says, 'I have chosen this. I have chosen to walk The Camino on nothing. I have chosen to be here like this'. I agree with him but try and tell him that this is not from me but God, who loves him very much. He refuses and I apologise that he must do as he wishes and it is so wrong of me to try and force a gift on him. A gift is just that- a gift and he has a choice so I will leave it on his backpack and if he still chooses to not accept it please could he pass it onto someone who needs some money for food.
I walk away with the words shouted behind me 'I hate you - no I don't, what I mean is God Bless you Kate' I raise my sticks in reply and go on my way.
Much Love, Kate