So I went to San Sebastian two weekends ago, and I have some amazing photos! San Seb is known for its surfing and its tapas. I don’t surf, but I can eat, so yeah. Eat we did, and it was AMAZING. And it bears repeating: SO MUCH CHEAPER THAN FRANCE. My travel companions were a good friend studying with me in Bordeaux (from Cal) and a friend studying in Spain that I worked with at summer camp (from Virginia Tech).
We also went to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim Bilbao. This was my Museum Studies pilgrimage. There are theories named after this museum. (The Bilbao Effect!!!) It’s awesome. Furthermore, the museum was ridiculous. As I expected the exhibits inside were really odd and contemporary, and the exterior of the building was far more powerful of a visual experience.
As far as the structure of this post goes: First pretty photos, and then all the funny stories…
Photos:
The Cathedral of San Sebastian
The Guggenheim Bilbao!!!
The Architect: Frank Gehry
Apparently, the shapes were inspired by the body and shape of a carp
The art installation "Fog"
The really interesting spider sculpture and the "Fog"
From a different angle
And back in San Seb, a bridge!
Some views from the short hike. Who knew the Atlantic was so pretty?!
Really. These photos have not been color edited.
Me taking photos midway up our walk to "Jesus Grande"
And a church that we passed going to and from "Jesus Grande"
And back at sea level, next to the beach where we tanned.
Stories:
When we were looking for a hostel, it seemed almost all of them had good reviews. So we went for available and cheap. We booked the cheapest hostel that had RAVE reviews. It turns out this is why:
- It is run by two fun-loving brothers.
- It is an apartment.
- They let you smoke (off the balcony) and drink in the rooms.
- The brothers will drink, smoke, and play cards with you in the rooms/off the balcony.
- We are 2 minutes from the beach, in the midst of the tapas bars that San Seb is famous for.
The first night, the Australians and Americans in the hostel were going hard. Also, it was all boys in the hostel, except for my friend from France and me. (I met my day camp friend the next day). So, our room was very popular, because we aren’t boys. It was basically a frat house. Until the boys went out, at 1:30am (1h30 en français), the room next to us was BLASTING Beastie Boys, and there was talk of marijuana and drinking “forties.” This was not appreciated, as I had to wake up early. As I went to bed, after 1h30, I remember thinking, at least I’m not sleeping in that room….
…and I spoke too soon. After getting back from Bilbao, we were told we were moving into the Australians’ room. Good. We got back from Bilbao around 15h30, and they were sleeping, groaning, snoring, and the room smelled like feet. Awesome. We changed quickly into our swimsuits, and we went to benefit from the sunshine. Yay! Tanning! Oh, sweet sunshine, I missed you.
Upon returning to the hostel, the boys were up and making chicken parmesan. We went out for tapas, and met French people from Orléans, but support the Biarritz Rugby team, which was playing (and won) in San Seb. They were very drunk. One spoke English quite well, the rest, only French. Yay time to practice! They were singing rugby drinking songs, which included the profound chant: “Chaud ananas! Chaud! Chaud! Chaud ananas!” (translated: Hot pineapple! Hot! Hot! Hot pineapple!”) No. I don’t know why. Apparently, it’s just what is done…
After tapas, we went out to the hostel and chatted and played easy card games with the Australians who were not going to go out because they went a little too hard the night before. We found out some interesting things:
1. 25 year olds from Perth
2. Just got e-mail addresses 4 weeks ago, to buy tickets online to go on this trip
3. Work in “metal”
4. Quit their jobs to travel for 10 months
5. Will get their jobs back, because there is a need
6. They each make 120-130K a year
7. The didn’t go to university, but they did go to trade school for metal
8. One was stabbed in Lisbon after they asked for directions
9. They said that we were “Quiet for American girls” (I assume they were deaf, because my voice definitely carries)
10. They all snored.
With the rest of our trip we bought things for cheap, tanned, ate gelato and tapas, and pointed at things to communicate with people. It was really fun.
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