Friday, May 27th

 

 

This city is beautiful.  As Lenny noted, no one looks stressed out!   The city is graceful, and chic and invites you to slow down. The hotel is in the perfect spot for people watching, and it’s a beautiful thing to behold!  It is actually the place where Lafayette sailed from when coming to the aid of the colonists during our Revolutionary war!

 

As I mentioned earlier, San Sebastian’s beach resembles a sea shell.  There are two hills on either end of the beach serving as bookends.  One is called Monte Urgull and the other, Monte Igueldo.  Lenny and I climbed the former today, to the Castillo de La Mota.  This promontory was the sight of a fort and battery that was occupied by Napoleon during the French invasion.  As we found out, no country came to the aid of the Basque people, until the British broke through the city wall and drove out the French. 

 

The hill topped by this military fortress, also is home to a chapel, and a very large statue of Jesus Christ added in 1950, which towers over the bay.  The hill lost its military interest on account of the city’s newly acquired tourist status and was sold to the city council.  It was up this mountain, to the statue that Len and I made our way this morning.  The weather was overcast, and humid.  By the time we reached the summit, I could’ve been rung out like a dish rag!!

 

We had a Pintxo Tour (pronounced pinch-o) scheduled so we booked down the mountain.  Our guide was Lourdes, a knowledgeable, hysterical, gastronomic wiz.  She imparted much food lore and history of this great city.  Words can’t convey what we experienced in these Pintxo bars, but I hope these pictures can whet your appetite.  In these bars, food is displayed on top of the bars, you help yourself, shout out your drink order, and honor bar system – pay at the end of your stay.  Too terrific!!  We had oxtail, baby squid, outrageous filet mignon, some sort of smoked cod prepared individually over a charcoal briquette (called “bonfire”), various cheeses with quince jam and of course local wine. The piece de resistance was dessert.  It was a cross between a cheese cake and flan, baked in parchment paper, called Tarta de queso. We all but rolled home!! 

 

 

 

 

 

Needless to say, dinner was passed over today, but we did meet up later (after 9) for a walk back to the Maria Christina Hotel for a drink and recap of the day.  After today, I as an American can understand the need for that “European” siesta!!