País Vasco

 Some pictures from my trip with Carly to the Basque Country in Northern Spain. We spent one day trekking around Bilbao, and two days in San Sebastian, recreating some of our days wandering around Santiago, except this time with more class.

The Basque language, Euskara, is a linguistic anomoly. It's one of the oldest languages still spoken today, and the people have done an excellent job of preserving it. It is the mother tongue of anyone born in the Basque country, though all learn to speak Spanish at a very young age.

 

El Guggenheim 

Look familiar to anyone in Los Angeles? The architect is Frank Gehry, who also designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown L.A. The Guggenheim is famous around Spain and a surprisingly common discussion topic amongst my colleagues, who practically worship the place.

Jeff Koons Puppy

"el pup"

outside the Guggenheim
Flowers and Puppies all in one...thank you, Koons.

 

The Basque people are known for being "closed," according to the people of Andalucía (who are anything but closed), and according to the Basque people themselves. In fact, when we were invited to tag along with a group of "locals," they couldn't stress enough how "lucky" we were to be hanging out with them, because they never mingle with tourists.

 

The Basques take pride in the fact that they have never been conquered. When the Moors occupied Spain for seven centuries, they had control of most of the Iberian peninsula - but not the Basque region. Many Basque people resent their affiliation with Spain. According to them, they are Basque, they are not Spanish. The Basque region spans from the northern Spanish coastline to the southwestern part of France, and the movement for independence creates a very politicized atmosphere. A Basque terrorist group, the ETA, is responsible for killing several hundred people over the past few decades as part of their campaign for independence.

blondie

 San Sebastian, La Concha beach