Our First Visitors in San Sebastian

Last week, Jeff's parents became our first official visitors in San Sebastian. We took the week off school (we needed the break!) and spent the week showing them around San Sebastian and the Basque Region.

On Wednesday, we walked all three of San Sebastian's beaches - a distance of about 6 km - on a beautiful day. With a stop for ice cream (of course) we were able to show Mom and Dad the beautiful views of the ocean, the bay and the city from various vantage points. We saw the sculptures that are along the route, including our favorite at the very end, El Peine del Viento by Eduardo Chillida:

By the way, right behind where we are standing is a sheer drop of about 25 feet to the rocks and water. You would never see that without a protective fence in the US.

On Thursday, we rented a car and went to the French Basque Region, with stops in San Jean de Luz and Biarritz. Although the weather did not cooperate in San Jean de Luz (rain, rain, rain), we did get to see the Church where Louis XIV was married and ate a quintessential French lunch - quiche and salad. Fortunately, the weather improved and we were able to walk around the beautiful city of Biarritz in comfort:

Later, we were even able to take off our jackets.

Friday, was another trip in the car to Bilbao, Guernica and the Spanish coast. Although we did not go into the famous Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, there is plenty to see outside including the "Puppy", a 42-foot tall sculpture covered in flowering plants that was initially supposed to be a temporary exhibit. However, people liked it so much that the city of Bilbao bought it and made it a permanent part of the museum.

Yes, that is Mom and Dad at the bottom (we did mention the Puppy is 42 feet tall, right). Other outside statues are not quite as cute. This one is actually an homage to the sculptor's mother who was a weaver. I doubt she was amused by it (note, again, that it is huge):

After leaving Bilbao we drove the long way back to San Sebastian, which included a stop in the incredible Guernica, which is the center of Basque history, including the tree that is considered the symbol of Basque identity and the Assembly House, which is described as Europe's oldest parliament. It was here that the Basque people introduced several ideas that are central to democracy today: the idea of habeas corpus, the prohibition of torture and the concept of equality among those born in the region.

Then, on April 26, 1937, with Franco's enthusiastic permission, the German air force used Guernica as a test site for its bombers, destroying much of the town and killing many. Somehow, the Assembly House and the tree were not hit. Of course, from this terrible event came Picasso's famous painting "Guernica" which is in the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid. If you are ever in Madrid, do not miss seeing it.

After Guernica, we arrived at the coast and had spectacular views of the water as we drove through a series of beautiful little towns that dot the coast west of San Sebastian. After a long day, we discovered the best burgers in San Sebastian. A great way to end the day.

These are just the highlights of a great week in San Sebastian that, of course, included many pinxtos, much wine and a great three-course dinner to celebrate Mom's birthday.

We hope this brief overview of what a visit to see us in San Sebastian may entail will encourage more of you to come as well (hint, hint). Our talents as tour guides improve everyday, especially our ability to speak Spanish (now that we are back in the classroom).

Hasta luego,

Jeff and Shana