Te quiero, San Sebastián/Donostia

Spain was high on our list of countries to visit. Neither of us has ever been and was intrigued by a culture that put so much emphasis on the siesta. I mean, who doesn’t like a nap? We had heard Northern Spain and Basque Country was beautiful. After about a month of pounding large city pavement, we were in desperate need for a smaller, coastal city. My brother raved about San Sebastián, on the northern coast of the Bay of Biscay,  and we thought it might fit the bill. It did not disappoint. 

San Sebastian in all its glory (even on the one cloudy day)

We stayed in the Amara area in our most plush airbnb to date. To best emulate the Basque lifestyle we woke up at a decent hour and started our “working day” by making breakfast, engaging in some form of activity... whether it be researching our next destination, going for a jog or hanging our laundry to dry on the most oxymoronic drying rack we have ever seen. Why put a dryer in the unit when you can build an 8 story drying chamber through the center of the building with individual, rotating drying lines off the back porch?  

Upon completion of our morning “work”, we walked two blocks east to the Umerea River, which feeds into the Atlantic Ocean. If you walk about ¾ a mile north along the river you will reach a point in which you are forced to make a decision. Do I walk further east towards the La Zurriola (the "surfer" beach) and happenstance Jazzaldia festival or do I walk a little farther northwest to the Playa del Concha and enjoy an afternoon of paddle boarding? Well folks, given we had four full days in San Sebastian we did it all. We had found a city that allowed us to stop feeling like tourists and live amongst the locals. We ate afternoon and evening pinxtos in Old Town, rode bikes, soaked in the sun, took multiple siestas on the beach, paddle boarded, walked to the top of Monte Urgull to the Mota Castle, rinsed and repeated.

Santa Maria Church in Old Town. At night the steps are filled with wine drinkers and pinxto eaters!

Ryan protecting the city about mid way up Monte Urgull. By the look on his face, he takes this job very seriously...

Can you spot the tourist in the tunnel?

After a long day of basqueing (sorry?) in the sun

Trust me, George  Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic has still got it. 

San Sebastián, until next time. We promise to return.

Fun Fact: Pinxtos (pronounced pinchos) are a small snack, typically consumed in bars while hanging out with friends, traditional to Basque country. They are served in individual portions and are typically lined up on top of the counter. You are usually given a plate to fill up and then charged once you realize your eyes are bigger than your stomach. They are called pinxtos because the majority of them have a pinto (Spanish for spike) toothpick or skewer in them.