Today we had an 8 hour tour with our wonderful guide, Esther. She gave us a fantastic tour of the town and pinxto bars yesterday and today we explored much of the surrounding communities and more of the city.
When I was here 4 years ago I visited the fire station and received a lovely gift of a firefighter shirt that says firefighter in Spanish (Bombero) and Basque (Suhiltzaileak). I felt bad that I had nothing to give my new friend in return. Today I had my chance to repay him. The fire station had moved but with the help of our guide (and Google Maps) we found the new station. My friend was off on holiday but I got a chance to speak to him by phone and make two new friends at the station (see attached photo with me in my San Sebastián firefighter shirt and my two new friends). I also got to leave a present for him in return for his kindness 4 years ago (a Westchester Medical Group shirt and a shirt from fire station #70 in Malibu).
In addition to seeing the towns of Zarautz, Getaria, Zumaia, Astigarraga, and Hondarribia, we also visited the San Sebastián sights of Mt. Igelda and Peine de Viento. We got to have an incredible lunch at the Petritegi Cider House in Astigarraga. I didn’t like the cider very much but my girls seemed to love it…should I be worried?
Dinner was an adventure where we tried Kokotxas de merluza (Hake Gullet). It was not a success with our group.
Tomorrow we leave for Santander. We were suppose to go to the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao on our way but it is closed on Mondays. Some poor planning but we will have to make some alternative plans. I am sure all will work out, well at least I hope it will.
Hasta mañana,
Roberto
Robert Reiss Travel Blog and Other Ramblings 