The epic weekend:)

My free weekend was a success! SO much fun. For starters, the bus strike was still going on Thursday when we were leaving. They turn off all the signs at the platforms and only have one information window so the line wraps around the station just to prove what a pain it would be if the bus station wasn't functioning. They sure get their point across but they couldn't rain on our parade! Our bus was still running (thank goodness) and we got on and hit the road just fine. It was quite the long bus ride, about 6 hours. But lucky for me my host mom is a saint. The first couple days I was here I bought a bottle of pineapple juice for breakfast and kept it in my room. I bought it since I didn't drink coffee breakfast was rough (this was pre sunnyD days). When I ran home before catching the bus my host mom not only had tortilla for me to scarf down before leaving but she had packed me a huge dinner! Delicious sandwiches, yogurt, and fruit. Annnnnnd drumroll pineapple juice box drinks. What a sweetheart! She must have seen the bottle in my room while she was cleaning one day. She is SO nice. Bless her heart! Then the bus ride went smoothly I sat and watched Alice in Wonderland, or in Spanish Alicia. It was actually really fun I understood basically the entire movie which felt awesome.

We arrived in San Sabastián around 10:30 and walked down the beautiful river in the center of town straight to our hostel. First off, there were so many people our age. Just everywhere. And English as well! It was nuts. We got to our hostel and there was a note on the outside of the door that said "be back at 11 -Amy" ha so weird so we just went on a little walk and got amazing gelato. Yum! Although they were closing in5 minutes and the lady was not nice! She snapped at me when I asked to try a flavor and told me to hurry up. That would never happen back home it was interesting. But once again, can't rain in my parade! Walking back through the old town where we were staying was an adventure in and of itself. So many drunk creeps! People would literally just stare at us and follow us with their head not just their eyes it was creepy. People would shout things and come up to us yuck! Like a gross meat market. Nothing dangerous though and we were smart but just creepy. It is a gorgeous town tough absolute paradise! Once we finally got out stuff settled in our cute little hostel that no joke could have been an add for Ikea we hit the beach and explored a little before bed. The beach at night was magical! The tide was gorgeous and their were boats docked all around it's a shame the pictures at night just don't do it justice.

Both mornings we woke up early and went in a walk which is me and Liv's favorite activity. It's so nice in the mornings. Nice and clean, not too crowded and usually the perfect lighting for pictures of the city. We walked along the beach and up around the town. The perfect way to start the day I mist say then back to our hostel for an average breakfast before a hike. Spaniards just don't do breakfast which to me is a tragedy. I love. Real fast. Favorite meal but far that's definitely been a challenge to get used to.

San Sabastian has two beaches separated by a huge mountain with a Christ statue on top and boy is it an amazing hike. Liv and I turned an hour hike into a two and half one with all of our exploring, picturing taking, and gazing. Amazing views!! Tucked away in the mountain was a number of little castles, ruins, and marvelous gardens. Up on top there is a big church with a museum, dungeon, and stairs up to the very top. The views were incredible I hope my pictures somewhat do it justice.

Liv and I have learned lots in our travels which led us to the best and cheapest food in San Sabastain. And gelato. We searched out this little family owned frutaría and went there every day to get our specially made sandwiches chips and fruit. So tasty! We finally seem to be finding our way around... Knock on wood!

Bilbao as well was an adventure. We took an hour and a half bus there which was Christmas. I not only had the very first seat, but the whole row to myself. It was a glorious day. Oh the little things in life. Our hostel there seemed like it was attempting to be modern... Heavy on attempting. Definitely failing. Not the nicest of hostels but we lived and had a pretty sweet view. Liv and i woke up early to be first in line at the Guggenheim (shocker I know. People think we're ridiculous) we thought we could get breakfast on the way there since it wasn't offered at our hostel but boy were we mistaken. Nothing in Spain is open for breakfast or at least not before ten. Some things are outside of Bilbao but Bilbao itself is a disaster. I can't believe the Gugg is there. It's covered in trash! All the time! We walked past a children's playground that literally looked like a city dump. We had to go all the way back to the bus station and eat at their dirty diner and then go back to the Gugg. Don't fret we were up early enough and treated their tram like we do trax in Utah to still be first in line. But my goodness I miss a hardy breakfast! Definitely am so grateful for the cost and convince of food in America. Spain has amazing food don't get me wrong but it's just pricy and a marathon to find.

The Guggenheim made this entire weekend worth it. My favorite museum by far. It was AMAZING!! There's only three floors yet we spent 5 hours there. Could have been the longer, not to mention nothing on the outside of those walls was worth seeing. Currently there is a David Hockney exhibit taking place. My favorite artist. An inspiration. He is just so talented. He's 70 something years old right now and embracing the technology of the iPad. He has actual work done entirely with an iPad. This guy is a genius! My hero. If you don't know his work, google it! Just incredible. Especially his work of the Grand canyon. Made me feel right at home. One day I aspire to go to the Guggenheim in New York. It's such a great place.

After the Gugg we searched for some food, got snacks for the ride (which was nearly impossible seeing as how everything is closed on a sunday but our persistence prevailed), and waited for our bus. The ride home was smooth I watched alice in wonderland again and I must say I quite enjoy it in Spanish, I wasn't super impressed in English. Favorite hobby of mine though, watching movies in Spanish. It's fun. I'm so grateful for this weekend and the experiences I was able to have. It was incredible. Especially the Guggenheim. And I am so grateful we were blessed with safety. I heard some pretty sketchy stories from our friends that went to Barcelona. That's all for now. Less than two weeks left in Oviedo. My heart is torn I will miss it here and my host family so much! When my host mom gave me a glorious goodbye on thursday it hit me how much I'm going to miss her. She's become my friend and you can't help but care about someone who takes such good care of you. And then at the same time I am just so excited for the rest of my adventure. Just gotta enjoy the ride. Audios :)

And p.s. hostel number one looked straight out of an add for Ikea. Thought that only happened in America. And two, yes that is a giant perro made out of flowers. It was in front of the Guggenheim. The Spaniards love their perros.