Notes from Bilbao

A pit stop for a few days at a practically empty hostel in Bourdeaux to rest up while I was sick. 

Confusing bus stop directions at 6 a.m. and stopping a stranger with a suitcase on a dark street, who guided me to the right stop just in time.

A drastic change in terrain.

Eating Basque pintxos at least once a day.

Thinking that walking the steep hills in Bilbao reminded me of the hills in San Francisco and then learning that the neighborhood I stayed in was indeed, nicknamed San Francisco.

City views from Etxebarri Parkea.

Shades of green.

Learning so much more about Basque country and its history than the little I knew.

Too much wine on a Basque pintxos food tour.

Learning the Basque “high pour” with Txakoli (a type of wine).

Things that remind us of loved ones who left us too soon.

Missing my late Uncle Joe, who was Basque.

Visiting the Guggenheim Museum without knowing anything about modern and contemporary art and learning I’m not much of a fan.

Warhols, weird art that I didn’t “get,” and active sculptures.

Coffee and pie breaks to read and escape the rain, seafood, hot tea to warm up, and the best açaí bowl I have ever had in my life.

A 43 ft statue of a puppy covered in 2,000+ potted flowers.

An odd, almost empty hostel in a sketchy neighborhood.

A stupid shower where you had to keep punching the button every 15 seconds to get more water.

City views from Etxebarri Parkea.

Pictures from home.

The beauty of the Biscay province.

A day trip to San Juan of Gaztelugatxeko, where scenes of “Dragonstone” from Game of Thrones were filmed.

The pep talk I had to give myself to complete the hike at San Juan of Gaztelugatxeko in the pouring rain.

A mural replica of Picasso’s “Guernica” in Gernika.

A crowded cafe in Mundaka with the day trip tour group.