Pamplona, the small Spanish city well known for the running of the bulls. Now apparent to me as another rainy city that is close to my heart. A city where my sister completed a month long exchange and where because of that exchange, I have a good friend. The city is green, hilly, and full of athletic outdoorsy people. It is only an hour long drive to France, and is equally friendly to pedestrians as is Venice. These are the things Pamplona should be known for.
My experience was all that and more. I was welcomed by Arantxa and her parents who I was meeting for the first time but whom immediately felt like family. They cooked us a traditional Spanish lunch and then we practiced the beautiful art of the siesta. I was very fortunate to have my personal tour guide who showed me the ins and outs of Pamplona, explained to me the politics within the street art, and introduced me to lots of locals. I always feel so refreshed after being with Arantxa because I speak Spanish to her as she replies to me in English (we probably look and sound like goons), it is such a fun way to learn a new language; also, we talk about anything and everything. In Pamplona we celebrated a mixture of being lazy on the rainy days, traveling on the sunny days, and doing a few workouts; we even attended a funeral. Our week together had it all.
We consumed a day in San Sebastian (Known in the Basque Country as Donasti) with walks on the beach and wandering in and out of several vintage stores and thrift shops. This is also where I met Arantxa’s cousin who is studying in her first year of university there. We mostly relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. We also went into a big church trying to educate ourselves.. but lets face it, they all start to look the same.
Bilbao (still not sure how to pronounce.. bill bow? bill ba? bill boA?) was another destination that did not disappoint. (I have a separate blog post for this city if you want to read more https://www.meghandorem.us/bilbao/). It was a rainy chaotic first half of the day spent there that was quickly turned around once we decided to be more like Spaniards; relax and go with the flow. The streets were strolled through by my blundstone boots and Arantxa’s converse, the pretty things have been forever captured by our cell phone cameras, and we achieved getting lost to eventually stumble upon the famous Guggenheim. The hours spent at the museum flew by effortlessly.
Towards the end of my week Arantxa’s parents were free from work so we all went to gaztelugatxe together (google it and I guarantee you’ll want to start saving up just to visit there). The scenic hike to the church atop a cliff was a nice and relaxing break from the hustle and bustle Madrid has to offer. We enjoyed each others company, the beautiful weather, and then relaxed at a small beach afterwards; no complaints here.
My last day Arantxa and I decided to get up early (like 8am lol) and spend it walking around Pamplona. We finally saw where the bulls run and also found where all the tourists were hiding, what a coincidence. Then, right before my bus departure we enjoyed some beautiful Tapas, because why not?
From all my travels, this is one week that will never be forgotten, that is for certain!