Drenched but not defeated.
Trip Start
Oct 27, 2008
1
8
17
Trip End
Jan 22, 2009
Vitoria-Gasteiz,
Basque,
Spain
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
have brought pleasant weather but for the most part it has done nothing but
rain... for a month! Last weekend I decided to take a trip to Vitoria-Gastiez. I
had called ahead and asked for a room at the hostel but it was booked for
Saturday. No big deal so I switched plans and went to the market in Tolosa and
returned to Donostia in time for the Trixitixa concert. A trixitixa (the x is
pronounced like a 'ch' in Basque) is similar to an accordion. Well it just happened
to be the 7th annual festival and there were performers from Ireland
and Italy as well as from the Basque Country. It was a night of culture and I
was pleasantly surprised by the last act. The entire male band, including the
crew of 8 Basque dancers, finished the concert playing in button-up shirts and
their boxer shorts! Good times.
Sunday I took the train to
Vitoria-Gastiez and visited the Maria Christina Cathedral. The hostel's front
desk lady helped me make an appointment to see the "Abierto por obras" exhibit.
This is a play on words that means, "Open for works." Usually the phrase is
"Cerrado por obras/Closed for works." But this ancient cathedral has been
undergoing major architectural improvements to keep it functional. I walked
around town for a couple hours before going to my 6:00pm appointment. There
were about a dozen people in the group and all information was in Spanish. I
may have missed a few details, but I got the main points and thoroughly enjoyed
my tour. Afterwards I visited a few more architectural exhibits before calling
it a night. The next morning it was pouring down rain and even snowed for a
brief time. But I was ready to tackle some more sightseeing after breakfast.
With the backpack loaded again I set off under my umbrella to explore more of
Alava's capital city. It may be cold and wet, I thought, but at least there are
museums to visit... But it was Monday, and museums are closed. I forgot that
piece of information before I set out on my trip. Good thing I invested in some
waterproof shoes because I ended up embarking on yet another extended walking
tour. J
My train back to Donostia was delayed
almost half an hour. The platform was crowded with people trying to stay warm
and out of the rain. One bench was left and I gladly took off my backpack and
sat down. A nun came and shared the other end of the bench with me. Instantly I
felt more spiritual as she crossed herself and commenced in eating a sandwich
from her bag. First the cathedral tour on a Sunday, and now this? I'm saved!!
That was until she started throwing the remainder of bread on the ground and
the pigeons flocked towards us. The holy feelings fled and I prayed for the
nerve and knowledge to ask her to throw the bread a little further away,
please. I'm afraid of birds.
I know, socks and birds. As readers you
are discovering my darkest secrets and I should probably get a new hobby and
stop writing blogs. Hopefully the weather clears and I can take off on my
dozens of hiking routes I had planned. Then I could have more pictures and
information to share and less random stories. We can only hope. J
Tomorrow will be Thanksgiving and I'm
still not sure what I will be doing, it isn't celebrated here. I would like to
stay around internet to chat with the family, but if weather is nice I'm going
to the Baztan valley. Either way I am wishing you all back home a very Happy
Thanksgiving! Have some turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie for me. And
for the Yoties back in C-town: best wishes with the tournament. J
Muxu
