San Sebastián!!

After a semester in San Sebastián, there are tons of memories and far too many to describe in a short blog. Here is a quick recap of the highlights:

1.     I would like to start by giving a shout out to my umbrella. You have been my best friend the last few months, I can’t imagine going anywhere without you. Thank you for lasting through all the rain and hail and saving me 10 euro on a new one. I am sorry to say that you are getting left behind…

2.     Food, food, food. I have honestly eaten the best food of my life here. From the fresh fish to the gourmet salads to the torrijas (Basque French Toast). I know that my cooking will never match Kepa’s but my new goal is to try! Thank you Kepa for enlightening me and making me even more of a foodie (Sorry Mom and Dad, the standard has been set pretty high!)!

3.     Thank you to all of the people that came (and are coming) to visit this semester. I can’t imagine what the semester would have been like without you! I learned so much: recalculating and wine production. They are all valuable life lessons. I loved playing tour guide so thanks for pretending like you were interested!

4.     I am going to miss sitting in café’s for hours drinking tea and eating pastries with friends. I genuinely think we had some of our best moments in La Tahona. Let’s be honest, there is always room (and time!) for a chocolate muffin!

5.     I will miss running through the city. There is nothing that I love more than being stared at for wearing shorts in 30 degree weather (stupid American that only brought shorts!).You just can’t beat a run along the river or out to the wind combs. 

6.     I applaud the busses of San Sebastián for making me comfortable on public transportation. I remember my first trip on the bus, it was the most nerve-wracking thing and now I hop on the bus without thinking twice. I have really mastered the public transport and (don’t tell anyone) but I actually like it!

7.     To the terrace, I looked at you longingly every day and I only got to enjoy your greatness a handful of times. I will miss my Saturday and Sunday siestas on the hammock and long family dinners. I will be back to enjoy your greatness!

8.     I know I haven’t talked about the wind combs at all because they were my little kept secret but I am letting the cat out of the bag. Visiting the wind combs was one of my favorite activities. They are just so peaceful with the waves crashing over the rocks. I loved running there when I didn’t feel like running because it gave me time to think (and also an excuse to walk…there were cobblestones…too risky!).

9.     A time spent in San Sebastián wouldn’t be complete without pintxos. I have to say that I have become quite skilled at standing and eating, a skill I never thought would be so necessary in my life! There is nothing more fun than spending a night bar hopping looking for great pintxos. 

10. Without a doubt, the best part of the semester was spending time with Lurdes and Kepa. I have no words to describe the impact they have had on me, in my way of thinking and my way of life. I know that our relationship will continue and that the teary goodbye was only just the beginning of a long and loving relationship. I can’t say how lucky I was that I ended up with them. They took a good semester and made it great! Lurdes asked me the other day what made me want to move in with them after only having met them for 5 minutes. I told her it was her smile and the sense of family that I got from them. The best decision I made was going off that gut feeling because I got more than a host family, I became part of a Basque family. I could have never dreamed up a more perfect situation. I am already trying to convince them to come to Indiana.

Hasta pronto (see you soon!) San Sebastián, it's been great! Now of to France...