Vera was born into a poor, postwar family in the north of the country. The first twenty years pass without any notable highs or lows, aside from some struggles with the Catholic faith. Then, during a vacation with her parents in Ireland, she falls in love with a local boy. This leads to a move and a marriage that eventually falls apart, after which Vera—enriched by a number of experiences—returns to her hometown. Thus, Vera goes with the flow of life; she grows into a resilient, enterprising woman who repeatedly decides to completely change the "course of her life." She lives in four countries, holds various types of jobs, and consistently turns setbacks into new opportunities.