A Day in Basque Country

Another full day for us. Yet somehow not full. We started off finding a cafe for breakfast. Where Luke devoured a chocolate covered croissant. I was very jealous. That and our coffee sent us on our way. We have decided not to sit on the patios anymore as that is where the smokers are sitting. So we are finding good places to sit inside that have a view. 

We walked around for sometime to the ocean. A different piece of ocean then we had seen yesterday. There we shared a complimentary orange from our hostel and had a water break. As we started to mosey our way back to find a lunch venue we came across this random place that was made out of chip board. It was pretty neat as they had it on the walls as well as separating tables. SIN GLUTEN... The Spanish gluten fre they has options, and surprisingly none were salads! I had spaghetti and even got a roll on the side. Luke ended up getting sea bass... Disgustingly enough came with the head, spine, and tail all intact. Bleh! Thankfully it didn't bother him a bit. With his meal he got bread and a drink, all for 10 Euro. We were thankful that it wasn't an arm and a leg, even my meal total was 11 euro. Unexpectedly our waitress dropped off a full bottle of wine at the table. Apparently Luke's 'drink', that was included in the price, when he ordered wine, actually was a full bottle not just a glass like he thought. But we shall take it!! And no complaints on our behalf. 

We continued to venture for an hour or so back to the beach near our hostel before heading back to retrieve our packs. We headed to the train station and got our tickets for Pamplona. Not to far of a journey, about an hour and a half. On the way we decided to listen to an interview Rick Steves had with two Basque guys. One from Spanish, specifically San Sebastián, and the other from Southern France.

Here is what we learned:

Half of Pamplona is Basque and half isn't. We learned a bit about Basque Country. San Sebastián is at the heart of Basque Country. As we were walking around, really since we arrived as it was at the train station, San Sebastián has been also referred to as Donostia. Today we learned this is because Donostia is the Basque name. San Sebastián we have seen all over that they are the 2016 European Destination of Culture. This yea they wish to bring many more tourists, such a as ourselves, to the area because apparently basque culture is becoming much more popular and known about. Tapas or rather known as Pinxtos (pinchos) to locals, is what we experienced in our evening last night. According to the guy on the interview, we have authentically been to San Sebastián and experienced the Basque culture that it has to offer. Basque is both in the southern French region and Northern Spain. They celebrate the end of winter by waking up Mother Nature around Easter time. To them this is their New Years celebration, and in januarywhen there is still winter there is nothing to celebrate. As nature is their passion this makes sense. They are usually shepherds or fisherman. Going through Pamplona is part of the Camino de Santiago. Which is something that I would one day enjoy doing. And also ends somewhere in Basque Country as well.

So far the high speed trains have been alright and not quite sickening. I say not quite as when going through the Spanish country side there were never any issues. Although you are going incredibly fast there is nothing directly on either side of the train, so much to be looked at outside. A little queasy when the eyes are averted and can feel the rumble from below, but so far so good. The real test will be the longer rides in a few days.

Arriving in Pamplona we trekked the 32 minutes uphill to get to our next home. And we survived! We are fairly close to the main things so tomorrow will be fun to explore a new place. We have been lucking out in Spain (it's the lucky euro!) because we have been getting rooms on the top floors. It is pretty neat because we get a different look at the towns we are in. 

 

I caught Luke mid sentence in this picture but decided not to re do the picture. That's really all I have for today. Soon we shall head out and find some food and have an early night in. See you tomorrow... That is if the internet decides to cooperate.

And so the adventure continues...