España la segunda parte

España la segunda parte

It wasn't as hard to wake up Friday as I thought it would be.  We were going to San Sebastian today, only an hour by bus, to hit up the beach and see a different region of Spain.  This Basque city looked amazing from the pictures that I saw.  Once we arrived it was spectacular.

Maria Cristina Bridge

The city looks more beautiful than anything you could imagine.  San Sebastian reminds me of Monte Carlo in some ways.  It's romantic; romantic in the way a bottle of red wine with someone you love is.  Walking through the city you notice the architecture moves around you in a Fur Elise like fashion.  The buildings flow with the emotion of of the city, they envelop you with their ancient stories and then part ways for a cathedral that seems to almost touch the sky.

Good Shepherd Cathedral

We walked through the city looking for the beach and seeing some fantastic sites.  It's pretty easy to find the bay of Biscay, maybe a 15 minute walk from the bus station.  As you approach it the city again opens up exposing another treasure. Surrounded by impressive hotels and sidewalk bistros on one side and a giant statue of Jesus perched upon a hill is the beach.

The view; the way the cove arcs out to the bay, and the Jesus (not Angulo) statue are all reminiscent of a smaller Rio.  The people are just as beautiful and very friendly.  We spent the afternoon on the beach people watching and relaxing.  For me, it was well needed.  We bought some beer at one of the markets on the beach and soaked in some vitamin D.  The scenery was varied but nice; families, singles and couples all enjoyed the beach in unison.

 Around 1500 we gathered our stuff, less one hotel towel we donated to the recycling bin and made our way back to the bus station.  The 1930 bus to Pamplona was booked so we had to wait for the 2020 bus.  This afforded us a little more time to see the city and find something to eat.  We settled on a place near the bus station that didn't seem too pricey.  The bartender spoke enough english to communicate well and the tapas looked really good.  There was a wonderful crab/ langoustine mixture perched atop a baguette that we devoured.  He even had to go tell the cook to make some more since the 4 of us ate all that was offered.  After some mish mash conversation with the guy I inquired about the regional wine.  He had been so hopeful and friendly I assumed he'd point me in the right direction for vino.  I tried some wine for 1,40 EU that he proclaimed was "WAY better than any Tempranillo you've tried".  He was right and with a few glasses of that and a pastry that I picked up from a local bakery in ninja like fashion while the girls were looking for something we were off to bus station for the ride back.
The ride back was a calming one.  The scenery is pleasant which lends itself to thinking.  Or sleeping in Maily and Felicia's case.  It made me wish I had brought along my headphones to listen to something while I took in the Spanish countryside.  While the train ride to Pamplona was more Rachmaninoff concerto no. 2 this  was Schubert's Serenade.  I could definitely move here.

 
Arriving back in Pamplona later than we originally planned we went back to the hotel for a quick change before heading into the city for dinner.  Finding most of the restaurants closing early in preparation for the opening ceremony our food luck ran out and KFC was the only thing open.  They let us know they were almost out of chicken and offered us a mixed bag of food for 19 EU.  I think it consisted of a drum stick or two, two breasts, and 4 tenders.  Next up was a couple drinks.  We stumbled around looking for a place before finally picking one where the locals were outside drinking.  Calling it quits early with visions of the San Fermin opening ceremony we hopped the bus back to the Zizur Mayor district and our Marriott.  The drinks had been cold, the staff was friendly and the night ended very well.