Bilbao, Gernika and San Sebastian

Julia and I did indeed go up into Basque country this weekend. We had a hectic run to the bus station on Wednesday, made it to Bilbao about 9 at night, got to our hostal and were told they were full and we could only stay there one night. It turned out to be ok, we found an amazing hostal that was much better situated, and we had this adorable room with a balcony, and geraniums, and we could see a church and the mountains from it. Gorgeous.
So on Thursday we walked around, got some amazing spanish tortillas for breakfast, and then walked to the Guggenheim. It was amazing! everything I imagined it would look like, and more. It was made even better by the gigantic floral puppy in front of it (check out my pictures when i put them up!!)
After that we came back to our hostal, took a siesta, and then went out for dinner, we just barhopped and grabbed tapas at a bunch of places. the food was really really really good, very different than Madrid tapas.
Friday we took a train to Gernika, to see the peace museum and a famous oak tree. It was interesting to be there, because pretty much what you go to see is a LACK of any old buildings or historical sights, because almost everything was destroyed in the bombing. All that was left was the tree, and a church. It was a really intense experience.
Saturday we took a bus to San Sebastian, which is basically a beach town. It was so beautiful. We climbed to the top of a small mountain to see a huge statue, and the view was spectacular. We walked along the beach, went to an aquarium, and also ate RAW SNAILS. wow. They taste how you would imagine them to. It was pretty intense. You get a little cone of them, and they give you a pin, to scoop them out of thier shell with, and then you just eat it. We only ate two each, it was a bit much. We ate tapas again that night, and they were even better! Apparently the food in San Sebastian is supposed to be the best in all of Spain, and I believe it. It was so so so good.
We got home yesterday, it was a whirlwind trip but totally amazing and worth it. I can't wait to go back to bilbao with my parents.
It was really interesting to be in an area that is actively fighting for its independence. The Basques want to be thier own country, and there is a huge movement to separate from Spain. I didnt have an idea how visible it was going to be, but it really was. At the Guggenheim their was a protest going on, and there is graffitti all over for ETA, the Basque terrorist group, and also more peaceful graffitti and flyers, and almost every window had the Basque flag hanging in it.
I am going to be posting pictures soon on flickr, at flickr.com/anniemb, as usual, and I will also probably be making a google webpage for myself, because flickr has a limit on how many pictures you can post a month, and its not a very big limit. So keep your eyes open for all that!
Hasta luego.