Blogs from San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain, Europe

Our first trip by bus saw us cross the Spanish border. We left Biarritz about midday and travelled a winding route close the coast south towards the border. The views of the sea were beautiful. San Sebastian is a port town with a lot of history. We arrived at the bus station in the newer part of town and walked parallel to the river into the old part, where our hostel was located. The old town, on a peninsula below a mountain with a huge statue of Christ overlooking the whole city, is all narrow lanes arranged in a grid. There is an impressive central square, Constitution Plaza, in the centre. The old harbour is set into the side of the broad bay which has sweeping crescent beaches and a high wall which goes all the ... read more

,,,... read more

Another day in Spain. Not missing home, yet… Each day, we’re introduced to something new and wonderful. Today, it was San Sebastian, or Donastia to the Basque folk. But first, I realize that I left you with the fact that we were going to head to Polanco. Polanco is a small town of 5500 people and it is utterly charming. We arrived after a slightly harrowing drive with a gentleman named Iñaki at the wheel. Nice feller, but a little heavy-footed around curves. The Tolosa Festival provides transport to the different venues, which works out because our ACFEA-hired driver needs to take a break. When we arrived in Polanco, it was beautiful, with the sun setting behind lush hills. I forgot my camera, so I took some shots with my phone. I’ll try to get those ... read more

Why is it that the beach, wherever it may be, is able to captivate so many people? Oh yeah, maybe it is the constant breeze, the feeling of sand beneath your feet, the rays of sunshine implanting you with happiness and warmth, the countless activities that are available, and the mesmerizing tranquility of the waves lapping up against the shore. And that is only half of San Sebastian. Not many other places, in the United States at least, are you able to be surrounded by two incredibly beautiful and sought-after geographic locations: the beach and the mountains. Each by them self is something to be treasured, but put the two together and you seem almost spoiled for choice. It is like taking two perfect things and making them more perfect. The equation doesn’t completely add up ... read more

We had a slightly longer drive, around 500kms, and we ended up in Olite. No particular reason, really, just that it was on the way to France – sort of - and there was supposed to be a good castle there. The campsite cheaper than we had been paying, and there was a reason. It was a bit open. Well, a lot open, actually. It was like being back in Patagonia, except the wind was hot. The sheer amount of wind mills on the hills nearby should probably have clued us in about the wind. We had planned to stay two nights, but cut it back to one. We managed to get the tents up eventually, and settled in for the night. Crickets. That's one thing this place did have. You get good at hunting them ... read more

I know I have been fairly silent the last couple weeks, but with all the rain, there has not been a lot to report beyond the wonderful jazz festival. For the most part we have been holed up in our apartment trying to stay remotely healthy and dry. However today, finally the sun came out and we were reminiscent of our first days here in San Sebastian as our days here come to an end Saturday morning when we board the train for Barcelona. Today, we finally got to rent bikes and head to the other parts of town, to see the combs of the wind, and the holes drilled down to the caves so that air and some ocean water is blown through during high tides, we got to see the stadium of the football ... read more