País Vasco: Fairytale Ending

When I think of Spain, I automatically think of afternoon siestas, tapas, Moorish architecture, and Mediterranean beaches.

In other words, I think of southern Spain.

My first experience in Spain was the month I spent studying abroad in Granada three years ago, and so moving to Madrid this year for teach abroad has been an interesting comparison. At first, the more international, touristic atmosphere of the city didn’t feel like Spain to me, or at least not the way I had been perceiving it. But as time has passed and I’ve gotten the chance to travel all over the country, I’ve come to know Spain as a beautiful mixture of so many different climates, landscapes, and cultures.

Now, as my year of living in Spain draws to a close, I’ve finally made my first trek to the north. After years of dreaming about the luscious green fields and sparkling blue beaches, I’ve finally visited País Vasco.

When my friends and I hopped off the train at San Sebastian, we headed straight for the beach, and the sight that met our eyes was breathtaking. Cliffs adorned with vegetation and magnificent buildings jutted out from either side, encircling the deep, crystal blue water into a little cove. The water reached out for miles, broken only by a green island plopped right in the middle of the cove. It was as if we had escaped to another world.

Later, surrounded by the sounds of Euskera and the smell of freshly made pintxos, we wandered the cobblestone streets of San Sebastian, constantly keeping our fingers crossed that it wouldn’t start downpouring at any moment (which it did, more than a few times). Everywhere we walked there was live music playing and crowds of people enjoying the moment.