In the novel “The Alchemist” Santiago faces many obstacles on his journey. He is challenged both physically and mentally. He faces decisions that change the rest of his life but he manages to keep on keeping on.
One problem occurred at the beginning of his trip. It happened while he was stopped in the town of Tangier. He was in a new country and everything was different for him. Everything from the language to ordering food was different. Santiago arrives in this town and decides to go have dinner. While at dinner, Santiago meets a man who is very kind to him. Santiago tells him .he is on a trip to the Pyramids. The man tells Santiago he can get him there by the morning. All Santiago has to do he has to do is give the man his money to buy supplies for the trip. Santiago trusts this man and gives him his money. Within five minutes Santiago loses sight of the man and never sees him again. Santiago does not know what to think. He has been on this journey for a day and had already been robbed of all his money. He is in a new country and he does not speak the language. Plus, he has no place to sleep or eat. It is not easy on Santiago but he knows in the back of his mind that he was meant to get to the Pyramids. Santiago gets a job at a crystal merchant shop and works there until he gets enough money to continue on his journey,. He stays positive and keeps the faith while working in Tangier. This positive state of mind helps him get enough money to continue his journey.