The Journey Begins

Alrighty, back behind the wheel and time to post a new blog. Many miles have passed since the last time, so I will try and catch you up the best I can. Hmm, ok. After leaving the Algarve and the beauty of Portugal, we continued on to Northern Spain and the Basque country where we stayed in both Bilbao and San Sebastian, both beautiful cities, but both of them completely nuts. Pretty much no rhyme or reason for anything. I mean, I get the siesta thing, but I still cant account for half of the strangeness. Nothing made sense. It was Monday morning and the streets of Bilbao were deserted until at least 11am, which is when we headed for a different part of town just trying to find some coffee. No luck there either. Nothing open and nobody working, and in a city the size of Spokane. It wasnt until we turned a corner in the old part of town until we saw anyone. Course, they werent working, they were drinking beer and wine in the street. Monday morning. We did eventually find a place to get a cup of coffee, the Cafe Bar Bilbao. Two bites into my croissant a bunch of garbage men came in for a round of shots...and more beers, and of course cigs. Probably just putting in the last little bit of work before their siesta. Sleep the booze off before they go back to work for a good two hours in the afternoon. And I think they were the only ones working that day.

A birdseye of San Sebastian

Beautiful.

This is a Basilica in San Sebastian

Everything was super layed back in Northern Spain. There was no rush for anything and no need for getting upset. It seems people just went about their business in their own way, and rather than focusing on work and the daily hustle, time was spent with more simple enjoyment. The towns are beautiful and very well kept. They have a system that works and without the headaches. It was relaxing and enjoyable. Also, it was pretty close to Easter, so I think that accounts for at least a little of the strangeness. I think.