90s music, tapas, y d-bolsas

Today is our 2nd day in San Sebastian (aka Donostia, which is the basque name), we are in Spanish Basque Country and thus all signs read in both Spanish and Basque (which is not similar at all to Spanish) and most locals speak both languages as well. We arrived somewhat haggard, but hopeful as we were crossing our fingers that San Sebastian would be at least a little bit more happening and beautiful than Santander. To our delight, this place is absolutely gorgeous!! As we stepped off the bus to our hostel, we passed by many trendy shops, courtyards, outdoor restaurants, trees and tons of people out and about! Also a huge plus, the sun was out! We were lead to our room which we share with 4 other girls, 2 from England, and the other 2 from Canada. All are very friendly and talkative young women and weve again make quick friends with our roommates. (One girl wants to be an actress and after purchasing a padlock that was too large for our lockers, she cried, ¨Oh how absolutely dreadful! I was so proud of myself!)

The room is spacious, with a balcony overlooking the main street with many shops and a little park area with many benches and trees. We are back to summer camp with bunk beds and everything! I am on the top bunk and have willed myself not to move and roll in the middle of the night for fear of rolling off the side of the bed and pulling a Melissa Olague (circa 1999 in the middle of the night at Camp Mather).

Our first day here we decided we needed to do something we have been thinking about for a while. Find Jesus. Therefore in San Sebastian Maddie and I have finally climbed to the mountain top and found Jesus. Literally.

Near our hostel there is a huge green hill, with many paths and stairs and trees, and at the very top of the hill is a HUGE stone statue of Jesus. You can see him from just about every lowly point in the city and you can definitely see him and feel him after an hour hike up the hill, through a museum and up some stairs which places you at the feet of Jesus. Maddie and I sat at the top of the hill with Jesus for about an hour, taking in the panoramic view of the ocean, the hills, the mountains, the boats, the beaches, the city and the blue sky blowing dark clouds over our heads. We sauntered back down the hill only to run into a girl staying at our hostel and had a lovely conversation (covering the usual, where are you from, how long are you here, who are you with, what else have you done here...etc.) about her previous and future travels and endured a massive wind gust that nearly blew Maddie over. (The weather here is really unpredictable, one second itś hot and sunny, the next itś windy and rainy).

Later that night we decided to go tapas hopping with our new friend Danielle, a very friendly girl from the middle of Canada. At each place we sampled either a bread dish with a seafood or vegetable topping, a glass of wine, sangria, or in Maddieś case, a very cute mini steak dish called, sollomillo. It even came with mini papas fritas.

We have to get off the computer now but up next are our "top 5 trends of Madrid" and "How to Find a Top Notch Restaurant."


Best,
Danise