Spain Road Trip Day #11 (and #4) Originally emailed on March 30, 2015

by reissmd, posted in Uncategorized

Today was a travel day and we left San Sebastián bright and early (that means at about noon here in Spain).  We then drove to Guernica a small town (population about 16,000) that is best known for being the site of a Nazi bombing (with the permission of Spanish Generalissimo Francisco Franco) on April 26, 1937.  In a 3 hour bombing raid 1,654 civilians were killed.  The bombing was the inspiration for the Picasso painting named for the town.  The painting’s meaning has had many interpretations but certainly the horrors of war are most prominent amongst its themes.  Picasso asked that it not be exhibited inSpain until the dictator (Franco) was removed and liberty and democracy had been established in the country.  It finally came to Spain in 1981 and now hangs in Museo Reina Sofia (in Madrid) but a mosaic replica is located in Guernica only steps from the memorial (see attached).

After leaving Guernica it was on to Santander where we are staying at the beautiful Gran Hotel Sardinero.  After checking into our rooms (very nice) we went for a walk (aka more food).  No pig’s ears or lamb’s hands today. We had some yummy quiche (no I’m not a real man) and a variety of other pintxos.

On the way back to the hotel we met a 75 year old retired gentleman who explained to us the significance of a local landmark and then proceeded to tell us much of his life story (he was a merchant marine in the Persian Gulf during the 1st Iraqi war, traveled to New Orleans and Brazil amongst other places) then he finally began to serenade us while taking me (not any of the girls) by the arm as he sang.  Yes it was a bit weird (even forSpain).

But the highlight of the day was when we had a FaceTime session with the grandsons/nephews: Owen (6 years old) and Charlie (2 years old). They got us caught up on the happenings in their lives.  For example we found out that when the clouds block the sun Charlie tells Robyn, “Mommy, sun needs batteries”.   We saw, Owen was eating an ice cream sandwich.  I asked him if it was good to which he replied, “I don’t know……… let’s go with yes.” (He clearly has been hanging out with his father).  The conversation also included a discussion about dogs and Owen asked for some clarification, “What’s a Golden Receiver?”
Spain is great but those boys are our superstars.
I would love to write more but hey, it is 10pm and time for dinner.
Roberto
picasso

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