Beaches, Tapas, and all that Jazz

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Geo: 43.2158, -2.1062

Once again, showed up in San Sebastian without a reservation and got screwed. Apparently, there is a major festival every weekend in July there - this weekend was the Jazz Festival. Managed to find a dumpy "hostel" - actually some lady's flat. Better than sleeping on a bench, I guess.

Had some amazing tapas. The Basque region is the best for that. Actually was cold sitting on the terrace in the morning, even though it was probably 25 C. Did lots of walking - old town, along the ocean. Took a nap. Did lots of journal writing. After the high of seeing Isabel again, I crashed in a severe way. It's been a bit of a roller coaster ... no surprise.

Getting lots of Spanish practice; helped translate for the owner of the hostel. Originally tried to look for a place with 2 Aussies but we got separated. Helped another 2 Aussie girls at the hostel with translating (just like last year!). But these 2 were rather ungrateful you-know-whats. Guess my calling in life is to fall for hotel girls in Europe and find accommodations for Aussies in San Sebastian.

Saw an amazing street performer - sounded exactly like Tracy Chapman (that was the intent). Literally had a huge pile of coins in his guitar case - probably hundreds of euros. Maybe he was a little too good ... could've even been a CD playing, but who knows.

Dinner - deli food from the market. Lasagna, roasted pepper stuffed with bacalao, and txaka salad (shredded fish). Good, but pricey considering it was from a store. Jazz fest - awesome. Sitting on a beach listening to music ... chilling with some nice people from the hostel ... what more do you want? Cool jazz/funk band - can't remember the name. Later band was Jazz Jamaica - not really jazz and not really my thing. Not that I even normally like jazz.

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Photos

1.
Amazing Basque tapas! Txaka with shrimp, and serrano ham.

2.
So good I wanted more! Ham, roasted red pepper, and mushrooms. Garlicky. Also a fish mousse.

3.
Cool church in San Sebastian.

4.
Jazz fest, first night.

5.
Bumper cars at the top of Mount Igueldo! I would've tried them, but it wasn't so good when I used bumper cars in Spain last year. Actually, they weren't bumper cars last year. It was a rental car and I "bumped" into posts and walls.

6.
View from Mount Igueldo.

7.
Grocery stores require that you use plastic gloves when selecting produce, I'm guessing for hygienic reasons. Here's a tip - put some soap in your public bathrooms and this won't be a problem!
But these gloves are a great idea. I've shaved valuable time off my daily hygiene ritual by using these gloves!!!

8.
Municipal building in San Sebastian.

9.
Ahhh, the beautiful beach. Best sand I've ever seen in Europe. I never did swim in the ocean in San Sebastian, just didn't feel like it I guess. Maybe next time.