Spain II

Back across the Pyrennes

We decided to go back up to the north coast. The drive across the dry, flat region between Barcelona and San Sebastion was not too exciting. We stopped in Pamplona, home of the running of the bulls, for one afternoon. The Spanish World Cup match was on TV and all the streets were clear for the siesta. After we ate lunch, there were some people out, and we asked directions to a theater. We paid for what we thought was a Spanish flick, but it turned out to be French, dubbed into Spanish. It was funny and entertaining nonetheless.

San Sebastion

We stopped in this rich city the following afternoon. We were all a bit tired, so we just sat on a bench and practiced people watching. We tried to guess nationalities or occupations, just for fun. After a while, we noticed that everyone was looking at us too. We couldn't decide if it was the sandals or the fact that there are not many Asians in northern Spain.

Posada Rio Cubas

Happened upon a great little pension that had just opened a couple months earlier. In the middle of nowhere in Cantabria. The owner was a very generous and warm man named Antonio, and he convinced us to stay a couple nights. We didn't have time to look at everything in that area, but we had fun. The best part was chatting with Antonio and his wife Conchi about life in Spain. They also recommended that I visit Cuba someday.

Toledo

Yai had some problems with her visa and plane ticket, so we retreated to Toledo to relax for a couple days. We skipped all of the famous sites in this city as well, but enjoyed many walks among the winding streets of this castle city. Although the central region of Spain is much hotter, the carefully strung sheets that cover the main streets in Toledo keep everything cool. There was even an internet cafe (of sorts) in Toledo, so we could be very comfortable there for a while. But Yai had to go back to get her visa and then leave for summer school in the States.

Valencia

After getting rid of Yai in Madrid, Midori and I drove to Valencia. Very boring drive across the dessert. I must have averaged about 150km for many long stretches at a time. We returned the car in Valencia (after nearly 4000km and US200 worth of gas) and checked into the Hostal del Rincon. Rested a bit in Valencia, still trying to get over my persistent cold. Met a cool Australian girl, Nicole, the last night. She can speak Spanish, French, and Japanese, so I knew that Midori was in good hands. Now I am off to bike to Hamburg. Come back in September to get the whole story on Spain.