Bilbao: Industry and Innovation

The northern region of Spain just south of France and neighboring Catalonia is known as "el País Vasco" or the Basque Country.  This is a region with an extremely rich culture and some very unique elements.

One of the most famous, and also most intreguing aspects of the Basque Country is the language spoken there.  While el País Vasco is part of Spain, and Spanish is spoken everywhere, the region boasts it's own tongue Euskera.  While this is also true in other regions of Spain (Galicia and Catalonia) what makes the Basque language unique is that it is the only language spoken in Western Europe that is not of Indo-European origin, and in fact, the origin is in itself a mystery.  There are some theories as to where it came from, but none have been proven.  

The largest city in the Basque Country is Bilbao, a city that is known for its factories and industrial history.  However, the city has been undergoing a sort of "remodeling" over the last few decades, and the once grey, gloomy metropolitan area has now been infused with culture, color, and its very own personality.  

Without a doubt, the most famous landmark in Biblao is the Guggenheim.  Opened in 1997, the museum was designed by Frank Gehry, and offers a modern and sleek architecture that instantly changed the landscape of the once industrial area.

Surrounding the Guggenheim are various other art pieces, each designed by different artists.  They all reflect a modern style, which will continue in the various exhibits in the museum.  

Puppy!

Inside you can find both permanent and temporary exhibits.  Unfortunately the contents are somewhat underwhelming compared to the structure itself.  However, entrance fees aren't overly priced (6-10 euro more or less depending on if you're a student or child, etc.) and while the exhibits were not comparable to what you might find in El Prado or La Reina Sofia in Madrid, the experience is still enjoyable, and the works are still worth seeing.  

inside the Guggenheim

A work of art inside the Guggenheim.
I wasn't able to take pictures of many of the pieces

Keeping in line with the modern, sleek feel this industrialized city boasts, the bridges that cross the River Nervión sprinkle in color, shape, and history.

  

Arguably, the most famous the Zubizuri (Basque for "white bridge") was designed by Calatrava, the same person who designed the Ciudad de Artes in Valencia.  The bridge was first opened in 1997.  While the bridge is impressive in its form, the practical purpose for which it was created, crossing it, presented a problem.  Due to its slippery walkway, pedestrians were constantly loosing their footing, and falling!  This was worsened by the rain (and in the north of Spain, rain is very common).  After some debates with the designer, the city decided to add grip-strips, allowing for a more secure footing.

The second bridge I will mention is the Arcos Rojos.  This bridge can be considered an external installation of the Guggenheim museum.  Designed by Daniel Buren, the bridge was opened on the tenth anniversary of the museum.  

Like almost every major city in Spain, Bilbao has its fair share of churches and cathedrals.  The most well-know is the Basilica de Begoña.  While reaching the top involves a walk up a hill, the trip is very much worth it.  The church celebrates the patron saint of Biscay (the territory in which Bilbao is situated) the Virgin Begoña.  Construction of the humble, yet elegant church began in the 16th century.  

In the heart of the old zone of Bilbao, you will find the Catedral de Santiago.  Built in the 14th-15th centuries, this cathedral celebrates Saint James.  As Bilbao is a key stop on the Camino de Santiago, the name is fitting.  

The old zone (or Casco Viejo) offers much more than the Cathedral.  A simple stroll through the streets is enough to make you instantly fall in love with the Basque charm.  The colorful buildings lining the streets, the signs in both Basque and Spanish, and the multitude of restaurants to choose from will make you lose yourself in the moment.  

Beautiful colors and buildings

The País Vasco is known for its gastronomy.  Offering a wide range of food and drinks, visitors can enjoy a lovely sit-down meal, or hop from bar to bar, sampling the various tapas on display.  Either way, the food is sure to please! 

After a delicious lunch, a quick walk through the old zone will bring you to the funicular.  A must-see when in Biblao.  Transporting visitors to a breath-taking look-out, the Artxanda Funicular is very inexpensive, making it more than worth the stop.  Bring your camera!  The views from the top are perfect photo-ops! 

On our way to the top!

Breath-taking view!

As if there isn't enough to see in Bilbao capital, one of the most famous landmarks is located just a short metro ride away, in the town of Portugalete.  Literally meaning, "hanging bridge", the puente colgante transports both pedestrians and vehicles from Portugalete on one side of the Nervion River to Getxo on the other. The "hanging" part of the bridge is literal, as you have to board a suspended gondola.  If you're feeling a little brave (and willing to pay the extra fee) you can also cross along the top, on foot.  

Bilbao is an amazing city, that offers everything from culture, to cuisine, to modern art with a mixture of historic charm.  There's something for everyone.  One drawback that visitors will find (which is not unique to Biblao, but an aspect of the País Vasco in general) is the prices.  Unlike many places in Spain, visiting this region will put a slight dent in your wallet.  However, if you plan wisely, it's worth the cost, as the city will not disappoint.  

Confessions of this "20-something"

This post is a little off topic from my usual posts.  I'm in the process now of finalizing another travel post about our most recent trip, it's just taking a little longer than expected.  Probably because I keep getting distracted by the Internet...
Which brings me to this current post.  It's one I wrote for my old blog, but never published.
On one of my (many) breaks between research and teaching, I, like most, scroll through Facebook.  Lately, I've seen a TON of posts about the 20-something generation.  This is what inspired my original post, and just reading yet another right now, I've decided to go ahead and share it with the world.

So, here it is.  This 20-something's thoughts on being 20-something:

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The term "twenty-something" seems to be a 'trending' term on the Internet.  Something that pop culture has made... well, popular.  This idea that your twenties are the time of your life: your chance to experience everything.  Those awkward years between adult-hood, and the crazy college partying phase you're expected to just give up when you receive your diploma.  You're still allowed to mess up, to try things out, or to go a little over the edge.  It's the "trial" years of becoming a functioning member of society.  Or so the media tells us.

I've seen many articles about what to do, or not to do, in your 20s.  Get married young, don't get married young, live abroad, start your own company, buy a house, don't settle down in one place, and the list goes on.  Literally, they're all lists of why you should, or shouldn't do the afore mentioned things, and much much more.

You know what I think, if anyone cares to hear it, is that this generation of "twenty-somethings" has a "grass is always greener" complex.  We've been raised in the generation of "participation awards" and an "A for effort" mentality.  We've always been told we could have whatever it is we put our mind to.  Well, guess what?  Now we're adults, expected to decide what it is we really want, and we're sitting here wondering why we can't have it all?  Why can't I have the perfect little house, with the amazing "pintrest-style" kitchen, reading nook, etc., and still travel the globe?  I don't mean to speak for an entire generation here, don't get me wrong.  The point is, when mass media is sending us mixed signals about what we're supposed to be doing with our lives, no wonder we so called "twenty-somethings" are turning back to the very vehicle that made us to vent our frustration.  Blogs, videos, articles, you name it, they all address the issue of us; what are the 20-somethings supposed to be doing NOW?  I am no better.  I am a child of the Internet.  I grew up in a time of AIM (AOL instant messenger) and text messaging, google, facebook, and myspace. And here I am, putting my inner thoughts out there for the world to read.

Do I love my life? OF COURSE! I'm getting to see and experience things a lot of people never even dream of.  But, do I still get a little ping of jealousy when I see my friends back in the States moving into their new homes, and starting a stable life with children and careers?  I'd be lying if I said no.  After a day of working and not even really getting to enjoy the amazing city I live in (because I spend so much time inside teaching that I don't get to actually see it OR the worst, because I walk past the same amazing sights and monuments everyday, that they've lost their allure), I wish I were coming home to my own place, not some place I'm renting, which still has my landlord's stuff in it.

The point is, I'm sure that my friends that are back in the States with their stable jobs, happy families, and their own homes, are looking at my life, wishing they could explore, "let go a little" and "take chances".  At the end of the day, we "twenty-somethings" want what we don't have.  But that's ok!  That's what drives us, pushes us, and makes us tick.  Some of us get married young, and some of us don't.  Some of us move to foreign countries, while some of us stay in the same state, right down the street from where we grew up.  The point is, all of us are feeling the same thing.  Who are we?  Did we make the right decision?  That's what it means to be a 20-something.  To finally realize that our lives have been fluff, and we're not going to have everything we want, because by nature, we're always going to want what we don't have.  It's the time in our lives when we learn who we really are, and who we're going to be.  We're going to question our decisions, and the decisions of our friends, we're going to get frustrated with ourselves, and with society for "making us choose this career" because it offered a better pay.  At the end of the day, this is all part of the process of being a child of our own generation.  We're finding our own way to find ourselves.

And I say, "to each his own" because we're all going through the same thing, just in different ways.

So, this blog is, in essence my way of sharing my "20-something" life with the world.  It's not better or worse than other's, but it's mine.  My day-to-day life may be different than some, but, I guarantee at the end of the day, I still have the same questions racing through my mind as so many others from my generation.

Spain's quirky charm

In this post I'm going to recycle a little of a post I wrote in my old blog.  But I'll also be adding a few things as well.  Things in Spain that are different, take awhile to get used to, but now I kind of love.    

1.  Lunch and Dinner SUPER late!!

Lunch time is usually between 2-4 and dinner between 8-10.  It takes awhile to get used to, and I usually have to have some kind of snack between lunch and dinner.  

2.  Daily "siesta"

From 2:00pm until roughly 5:00pm everything closes (except a few bigger stores and the cafes/ bars).  This was frustrating at first because that would be the ideal time for me to run errands.  However, I like being forced to go home, eat, and relax for awhile.  Gives me time to appreciate life, reflect on my day, and plan my evening. 

3.  Throwing napkins and trash on the floors of bars and cafes

The first time I saw this happen, I was very surprised.  It happens even in the nicer cafes.  I've heard some different ideas as to why people do this, but I've come to think that it's simply because it makes cleaning up the bar easier!  It's actually to help keep the bar clean!!  When the crowd dies down, the waiters walk around, and can quickly sweep up all the napkins and trash, and the plates go straight to be washed.  It cuts out the middle step of separating trash from dishes.  

4.  Walking EVERYWHERE... ALL the time!!

Yes, I found this EXTREMELY annoying at first, and REALLY just wanted to jump in my car and drive wherever I had to go.  But now I enjoy this.  I actually love this to be honest.  I'm still busy studying and working, so I don't have as much time to work out as I would like.  But knowing that I'll be getting some sort of activity in my day (walking to and from the grocery store, caring 4 bags of groceries up 5 flights of stairs for example...) helps balance that out.  

5.  The lights in the bathrooms.

The normal expectation is that when you walk into a bathroom in a restaurant the lights will be on.  Well, not here! You have to turn them on, and they're generally on a timer.  This can be really frustrating when all of the sudden the lights go out, and yes, I would freak out the first few times this would happen, but now I expect it, and it's just a reflex to reach back up and turn them on.  No problem.  It's nice because it makes perfect sense! Why waste all that energy? 

6.  Not to mention every toilet flushes differently. 

Ok, not EVERY toilet, but yes, I have seen more creative ways of flushing toilets here than ever in my life.  There are some with buttons, some with those pull things that come down from the ceiling, some with foot petal things and the list goes on.  It's always an adventure!Oh, and ps I have yet to see a toilet with the normal handle on the side like we have in the States. 

7.  The street numbers don't always line up. 

So, you look up a restaurant that you want to go to, and the address is something like Gran Via 16.  When you're walking down the street, if you're on the "odd number" side of the street, be careful.  Just because you're at Gran Via 15, doesn't mean that the building directly across the street is 16, it could be 12, or it could be 32!!  You never know, so just be aware of that.  

8.  Lights in the hotel rooms

I'm not sure if this is all of Europe, or only Spain.  However, as I mentioned in #5 above, people here are much more energy conscious.  This carries over into the lights in the hotel rooms as well.  In order to work any electronic device or outlet in the hotel rooms, you have to put your key into a little slot by the door when you come in.  That's not too bad.  However, when you're leaving and want to let your camera or computer charge while you're out, they won't, because when you pull that key out of the slot, everything turns off.  

9.  There seems to be a national lack of toilet paper and soap

It may sound strange, but it's true.  Walking into a bathroom that doesn't have one, or both, of the items mentioned above is not uncommon.  It only takes a short time before you learn to prepare for this though.  Carrying tissue and hand sanitizer has come in handy many many times! 


For now, I'll leave it at that, but I'm sure there's more things that add to Spain's quirky charm. 

5 (personal) tips on travel to Spain

This is just a quick post on some "tips" I would pass along to any fellow Americans traveling to Spain. Some from personal experience, others from watching and observing the people around me.

1.  Try it first, ask later

So, Spanish food is amazing.  One of my favorite things about it is that it's not loaded with seasonings and added "flavor" packets.  It's all about the natural flavors of the food (and there's some garlic added in, always garlic in Spain haha).  Their food is simple, and filling, really yummy, but, sometimes it can be a little... adventurous for the every-day American.

Spaniards are great at not wasting, ANYTHING.  Especially food.  They eat every part of every animal.  Everything from pigs snout, to bull tail, there's some cheek, a little intestine, and even blood.  Yes, there is the "normal" selection of meats that we're used to, but the more unique plates can be amazing too.  And, if you don't ask, you might not even realize you're eating a part of a face.  It sounds really disgusting, but try it!  And before you get too judgmental, remember, they aren't wasting.  It's a wonderful thing if you think about it.

2.  A little history, some tours, some exciting sites, but don't forget to enjoy it

If you're traveling to Spain, you'll see some amazing things.  Architecture from the Roman Empire, historical landmarks and monuments, the beautiful influence of the Arabic cultures who came from Africa in 711 A.D and were in the peninsula until 1492 A.D.  There's so much to see and take in, that it's easy to get wrapped up in going from one thing to the next, that you miss the chance to actually experience the culture.  Spain has an amazing charm to it.  The people really know how to enjoy life, and what matters.  They put family first, and the time they get to spend together is precious.  You won't see teens embarrassed to be with their parents, but instead, they're up and running around playing with their little cousins.  Grandparents and grandchildren walk along the streets together.  On Saturday and Sunday afternoon, you can see families of sometimes 3 or 4 generations sitting in the Plaza Mayor together, enjoying some ice cream and their time with each other.

One thing we lack as Americans is this.  And it seems that, traveling, the event that we do together as families, even becomes "work".  A lot of times we come home from a trip, jokingly saying "I need a vacation after my vacation".  Travel, especially to foreign countries, becomes a timetabled event.  "The museum opens at 9, so we should get there at 8:45, then, there's an exhibit at 12 I want to get to, so let's make sure we rush there.  At 1:40 we have 20 minutes for lunch before the tour starts..." And so on and so on.  I understand, you want to maximize on your time here.  You're only in Europe once, MAYBE twice in your life, you should take advantage of that.  And I couldn't agree more!

Take advantage of embracing the Spanish lifestyle.  Instead of 20 minutes for lunch, spend an hour (maybe more)!!  Sit on the outdoor terrace, eat slowly, watch the people walk by, enjoy a nice cup of coffee after.  Talk to the people you're with.  In Spain, lunch is the most important meal of the day, and they do spend an hour, sometimes two eating together, laughing and talking.  It's a bonding time.

In the evening, when things are winding down, go enjoy a glass of wine and a tapa outside.  Ask your family and friends what has been their favorite part of the day.  Talk about what you've seen and what you're going to see.  Just relax and enjoy being together.  Traveling, especially to Spain, doesn't have to be, and shouldn't be stressful.

3.  Don't just stay in one place

This is only if you get the chance.  But, I think it's worth taking into consideration.  When traveling to Spain, make sure you have enough time to go to at least 3 or 4 different places, spending minimum 2 days in each.  One of the amazing things about Spain is its diversity.  It's a small country (compared to the US) but it still has so much to offer.  You have the green, mountainous north, with small villages and quaint towns.  In the center you have the capital, Madrid, and the surrounding provinces.  Each one has it's own charm and history.  Castilla y León for example takes pride in their deep "Castillian" roots. They believe they speak the purest form of Spanish (this can be contested) and their landscape, though not green and luscious like you'll find in the north, is filled with rolling plains and various types of crops.  The south is a world all its own.  With strong Arabic influence, the south is colorful and exciting.  The people are open and friendly, and always welcoming.  The weather is perfect almost year-round, and the food is amazing.  There are other regions as well, we can't forget Catalonia directly to the south of France.  They not only have their own culture, but like Galicia (directly above Portugal on the west coast) they have their own language.

Spain is filled with diversity.  Visiting the big cities, Madrid and Barcelona, is important.  And there's a lot to see there.  But if you want to get to know the real Spain, you have to travel not only outside of the metropolitan areas, but also to different regions.  Sometimes you'll think you aren't even in the same country.

4.  Learn a little of the language before you go

Yes, most places you go you might be able to find someone that speaks English.  But there's no guarantee.  Spain, unlike their neighbors to the west (Portugal) isn't known for their ability to pick up other languages well.

I'm not saying take a Spanish class and become fluent, or even conversational, before a week or two week trip.  Just learn a few phrases.  Where is the bathroom?  Can I have...?  How much does this cost?  (and numbers, or course).  Simple things.  And even if you sound like an idiot trying to say it, and maybe you don't say it correctly at all, at least you've tried.  And the people really appreciate that.

I should note, however, don't assume that NO ONE around you speaks English.  While you shouldn't just figure that everyone will go out of their way to speak your native tongue to you, don't be so naive to think that English is some exotic language that no one knows.  It's English!  It's the universally recognized international language.  So just be careful, don't say anything you wouldn't normally say in public.  

5.  Comfy clothes are not street clothes

You rarely see someone walking around Spain in sweat pants and a t-shirt.  While in the US it's perfectly acceptable to go to the grocery store in your pjs, in Spain it is not.  I'm not saying get all dressed up, make-up, hair done, high heels.  No no.  But instead of sweats, pull on a pair of jeans, or cute shorts.  In place of the T-shirt, find a cute tank-top.  It doesn't have to be fancy, just can't be something you would wear to bed.

On that note, however, wear comfy shoes!!  You will walk A LOT!

Segovia: A small town with a big personality

Segovia isn't usually on the top of people's "to visit" list when planning a trip to Spain.  However, this city, with a population of roughly 56,000, is more than worth a long weekend.

Pertaining to the region of Spain known as Castilla y León, the winters can be cold, but the summers are glorious.  The sun and warmth bring people from all over to walk through the Judería, the old zone of the city, with its winding streets and quaint cafés, or to visit one of the many monuments, or even simply to enjoy the amazing "gastronomía".

There are many historical monuments that add to the city's charm.  The most famous is the Acueducto, a Roman aqueduct constructed in the 2nd Century A.D.  It runs through the center of the old part of the city, and is simply breathtaking in both size and beauty.  A path running along the side allows visitors to walk to the top where the views simply cannot be missed.

View from the top of the aqueduct

Another major attraction is the Alcazár de Segovia.  Originally built as a fortress, this amazing construction has served various purposes throughout history.  Visitors can enter the Alcazar which holds various historical artifacts.  The best part however, are the vistas from the top.  Another interesting fact about this magical palace worth noting is that it served as one of the inspirations of Walt Disney's Cinderella's castle.

View of the city from the Alcazar

The Alcazar from a distance

To get a better view of the Alcazar (see picture above) requires a little bit of a hike.  But it's well worth it, and will take you to yet another historical monument of the city, the Iglesia de la Vera Cruz.  One of the ancient churches of the Knights Templar, the round construction and old stone walls transport visitors back to the 12th Century.  The history of this place has been debated, some even believing it originally held the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.  Regardless of the truth, the intriguing Templar church is a perfect stop for "history buffs".  It's not expensive to get in, and while it is small,it's a "can't miss".  Even though the walk is long (30 minutes more or less) the beautiful countryside makes it feel effortless.

Another view of the Alcazar

la Iglesia de la Vera Cruz

On the way to the church

Located just a short bus ride outside of Segovia, the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefono formally served as the summer palace of Spanish royalty.  Built in the 18th century, the building itself serves as a museum.  While the inside may be a little disappointing, the true allure of this "side trip" is the gardens.  Going in the summer months is recommended, as the flowers are in full bloom, and the fountains that are located around the gardens will be turned on.

La Granja

The Gardens

The cathedral in Segovia is easily one of the most impressive in Spain.  It's located in the center of the city, and after a short walk through the Judería, the view of the Cathedral does not disappoint.

The Cathedral

Late June is the ideal time to visit, not only because the weather is wonderful, but also because during this time the Fiestas of San Juan are celebrated.  There are a lot of origins to this feast.  It is celebrated all over Spain (more in the northern regions) with bonfires and festivals.  Originally, the bonfires were meant to "give strength to the sun" to aid in the summer solstice.  Also, the fires were thought to have purifying powers, cleansing both the people and city.  Today, the celebration has taken different forms throughout the various regions of Spain.  In Segovia, the celebrations are one of the main attractions of the city.  Everything from bonfires to live music form part of the "fiestas".  The entire city comes to life, with bustling streets during the day, and lights illuminating the city at night.

The best part of going in late June is by far the food.  During this time, Segovia celebrates one of its "Tapa Concursos".  All the restaurants around the city prepare their best "tapa" and for just 2 euros, visitors can sample the food and have a drink!  The options are endless, and choosing is easily the hardest part.  Participants can sample anything from sea food to beef, and even find some vegetarian options.

Regardless of what you're looking for from a vacation: food, culture, music, or simply a relaxing stroll through the countryside, Segovia has it all!  Spend your mornings wandering the streets, having breakfast at a cafe.  Enjoy an afternoon stroll through the countryside, and top it off with a picnic by the aqueduct.  In the evening, sample the tapas and enjoy the live music.  Sprinkle in the historical monuments, and before you know it, you're in love with the city, and leaving will be harder than you ever expected!