Eating Tapas in San Sebastian
Trip Start
Jun 08, 2008
1
59
65
Trip End
Dec 08, 2008
San Sebastian,
Spain
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A city that I recon is bigger then expected but still nice in its own way. I had pictured this little vaction spot on the coast of Spain. It turned into a big metroplotian really quickly as soon as I got off the train.
I exited the train and tried deperatly to try and find my hostel. The instructions were easy and clear but the street names and landmarks were just not adding up. The buildings that they said were there, weren´t. The Mcdonalds that they said was there, was NOT. I wandered the streets, asking every second person if they spoke english. I finally found someone but they had no idea where the hell I was staying. I had to ask him how to say "Do you speak English" in Spanish so people wouldn´t just look right through me. I was getting frustrated after an hour which I learned later should have been a 10 minute walk. I kept asking and people just kept not knowing or not understanding. Nothing is more frustrating. AH, THE POLICE, they can help me. If you are ever get lost in Europe, find a cop and they can always lead you to where you want to go. NOPE, not this time. He had no idea and I was getting to the point where I was thinking that this place doesn´t exisit. My next stop was the richest hotel I could find in the area. When in doubt (and the police are no use) go to a random hotel, they can usually help you. SUCCESS, I finally found this really nice woman that gave me step by step instructions. Where I went wrong, there are 2 train stations in the city and I got off at the wrong one. oops.
I followed her detailed instructions and ended up at my hostel, tired and my back hurting I was ready for a sleep, and that is what I did, nap time!!!!!
I got up a few hours later, left the camera back at the hostel, which I usally always do on my frist day in a new city and started to walk. Oh ya did I mention the rain. I am getting used to it by now but Olga, the girl at reception, gaurenteed me a sun the next so I had to wait it out. I just walked the sea wall and seeing it was about 10:00pm by that time I headed back to the hostel. The people at the hostel were about as excited as I was. We watch Family Guy and The Simpsons and called it an early night. I started to talk to a few people in my room while reading and met up, BRACE YOURSELF, an Aussie (Laura) and 2 guys from New Zealand (Matt and Kara). That is all that is out there right now traveling so I tend to find them like a calf to a cow´s nipple. ( I feel I have used Bee to honey all to often in these blogs)
The next day the 4 of us took a hike to the top of the mountain to see Jesus. He has been hanging around there for about a hundred year or so. A 20 meter high statue of the savior atop the highest hill in San Sebastian, about a 30 minute climb. We hung out in the park for a bit and then it was time for Tapa Tour.
Before we left Matt had planned out a route for lunch, a Tapa Tour. Any of you that have ever been to Spain will know what I am talking about, the others let me introduce you to the best idea in the whole world!!!!!!!
The idea is so simple but so good. As you walk through the city there are bars on every street corner and alley way. These are what you call Tapa Bars. Picture this, 20-40 appitizers set out on the bar. Everything from Breads, cheese, seafood, you name it. You walk in , order a beer and start to eat. They give you plate and you start to choose what ever you little heart desires. Each appy has a toothpick, once you have eaten your little treat you keep your toothpick. Collect your toothpicks at the end and pay up. Each Tapa costs between 1 and 2 euros, the bigger and more seafood, the more expensive your tapa is. It is easy to blow a few euros at these bars.
We hit about 4 of these bars for lunch and it was nothing but great food. I have now figured out that I really enjoy food. I mean I really enjoy eating. I have gotten really good at it while traveling and not looking forward to returing home and not having a different cuisine every week or so. The Tapa bars are crowed during siesta and after work. Just a great place to hang out for the afternoon.
I have decided when I come back into Vancouver I am going to open a Tapa bar and enforce siesta just due to the fact that it works so well for the Spaniards. He took the rest of the afternoon and did some laundry which was insanly expensive, 15 euros. I couldn´t beleive it but I needed some clean clothes. We went out for a bite to eat, and called it a night, hung around and chatted in the common room with some beers.
The following day wasn´t nearly as exciting. We walked, yup thats it, walked. We watched the surfers. The sun was out so we walked the entire coast line of San Sebastain and just had a relaxing day. Took some pictures and chilled out. That evening we had a huge feed at the hostel. Kara was nice enough to cook us all a fantasic dinner of Spaghetti Bolinas (I´m not saying it was fantasic because she might read this, it really was very good) We hung out again for our final night in the city, drank some wine, shared some stories and some laughs. The traveling life is good, I have come to the conclusion that I am not jaded, I am just appreciating different things now.
YAAAAAA BARCELONA, The city that everyone talks about, architecture, food, and a whole lot more. I have been looking forward to it for a while now. Man, I hope it doesn´t disappoint......................
