I was up early, and a market of some sort was being set up. It wasn't the usual day for the market, so not sure what it was. It is fun to always have some activity going on in the Square.
We rushed to the lounge at 9:15 AM for the light breakfast, as it closes at 9:30, and the lady "hovers" to clear everything on the dot.
Left the hotel about 11 AM. Traffic in the city was busy, as usual, with bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians, trucks and cars on tiny little lanes. There was a barrier of some sort blocking the way the GPS was sending us, so Ron had to wend his way through many small streets with cars parked haphazardly on both sides and barely an inch to squeeze through. As Val commented in Lake Como, how does he stay so calm?
There were huge storm clouds threatening and we had heard of severe weather further north. We were very lucky and only had a few rain drops.
As the time was quickly approaching when restaurants would be closed, we decided to stop in Tarbes. Google was working, and I picked a restaurant in the "cheap eats" category that was also rated #4 overall in Tarbes - L'Amuse Bouche. It was not in a heavily trafficked area, and Ron was able to find a parking spot on the street. The restaurant was tiny and crowded. The waiter, who we think was Algerian, spoke a little English and was helpful. We both wanted the grilled chicken breast, but they were out of that and also out of duck. I ended up with Salade Chevre Chaud (hot goat cheese salad) and Ron had pizza chorizo. We also had a small bucket of French Fries, which were 4 EU (not exactly cheap eats).
It was about a two-hour drive from Tarbes to San Sebastian, but Ron decided to stop in a L'Clerc supermarket for wine and breakfast "fixings". Unfortunately, it was in an enormous mall, and was one of the largest L'Clercs he'd ever seen. I was waiting in the car, and when he finally returned, he hollered, "Don't pay the ransom." I was beginning to wonder! This episode ate up almost another hour.
When we were near Bayonne I called our "contact person", Augustin, and told him we expected to be there at 5:30 PM. I asked where we could stop to unload our luggage. He said it was a busy street, but we could unload and, perhaps, find parking around the corner.
Upon arriving in San Sebastian it wasn't really what either of us had expected. Just didn't do enough research. For one thing, it is a much larger city. Anyway, we made our way to Apartment Chillida on Zumalakarregi, and Ron turned off the main street. Standing on the corner was a guy looking around, and I said, "Maybe he is Augustin". He was, and said we should park there on the street, and he went to the machine to buy a parking ticket. Unfortunately, it was only valid for one hour. He alerted us that parking enforcement is strict, and a ticket is 90 EU.
He helped bring the luggage up to the 5th floor apartment (elevator, as mentioned in the listing).
After completing the paperwork formalities and final payment, Ron went down to the nearby grocery, but they had no ice. He emptied a big suitcase and took it back down to use for all of the remaining items in the car. Once that task was finished he had to take the car to a garage (we paid an extra fee of $18/day), and walk back 650-meters (about SEVEN football fields). I was a little concerned, as Kathie is always saying "Don't let him out of your sight", but there is no way I could have walked that far.
When he returned, he said the neighborhood is fabulous - the kind of place I've always said I'd love to live with everything (shops, groceries, restaurants, hair salons, etc.) close at hand. The perfect place for walking, which seems to be more difficult by the day. While walking back he found a large supermarket (about 3-blocks from apartment) and purchased two bags of ice. These are the largest ice cubes we've ever seen, but it is good to have ice, no matter what kind.
The apartment is on a very busy street, but traffic dies down at night, and with the glazed windows closed, there is no problem sleeping. It is very modern with all motorized blinds and rolladen (exterior blinds). The shower is walk-in, no lip, and the bathroom is totally handicap accessible. The bedroom is separated from the living area by only a glass wall with a motorized blind for privacy. The purpose of the glass is to expand the view from the living area - a stunning panorama over La Concha Bay and Santa Clara Island. Above the Mediterranean tile roofs, we can see part of the sandy beach Ondarreta.
It was a tiring day. A lot of stress for Ron with driving, hassling with parking, and walking 650-meters, plus carrying 6 pounds of ice several blocks. But we were in a lovely environment with an unbeatable view, a good place for a relaxing evening.
We rushed to the lounge at 9:15 AM for the light breakfast, as it closes at 9:30, and the lady "hovers" to clear everything on the dot.
Left the hotel about 11 AM. Traffic in the city was busy, as usual, with bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians, trucks and cars on tiny little lanes. There was a barrier of some sort blocking the way the GPS was sending us, so Ron had to wend his way through many small streets with cars parked haphazardly on both sides and barely an inch to squeeze through. As Val commented in Lake Como, how does he stay so calm?
There were huge storm clouds threatening and we had heard of severe weather further north. We were very lucky and only had a few rain drops.
As the time was quickly approaching when restaurants would be closed, we decided to stop in Tarbes. Google was working, and I picked a restaurant in the "cheap eats" category that was also rated #4 overall in Tarbes - L'Amuse Bouche. It was not in a heavily trafficked area, and Ron was able to find a parking spot on the street. The restaurant was tiny and crowded. The waiter, who we think was Algerian, spoke a little English and was helpful. We both wanted the grilled chicken breast, but they were out of that and also out of duck. I ended up with Salade Chevre Chaud (hot goat cheese salad) and Ron had pizza chorizo. We also had a small bucket of French Fries, which were 4 EU (not exactly cheap eats).
 |
| Tiny restaurant, L'Amuse Bouche |
 |
| Salad with hot goat cheese on bread, walnuts, eggs, etc. |
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| Pizza Chorizo |
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| Small bucket of pommes frites |
When we were near Bayonne I called our "contact person", Augustin, and told him we expected to be there at 5:30 PM. I asked where we could stop to unload our luggage. He said it was a busy street, but we could unload and, perhaps, find parking around the corner.
Upon arriving in San Sebastian it wasn't really what either of us had expected. Just didn't do enough research. For one thing, it is a much larger city. Anyway, we made our way to Apartment Chillida on Zumalakarregi, and Ron turned off the main street. Standing on the corner was a guy looking around, and I said, "Maybe he is Augustin". He was, and said we should park there on the street, and he went to the machine to buy a parking ticket. Unfortunately, it was only valid for one hour. He alerted us that parking enforcement is strict, and a ticket is 90 EU.
He helped bring the luggage up to the 5th floor apartment (elevator, as mentioned in the listing).
 |
| Ron finalizing payment in kitchen with Augustin (hidden) |
After completing the paperwork formalities and final payment, Ron went down to the nearby grocery, but they had no ice. He emptied a big suitcase and took it back down to use for all of the remaining items in the car. Once that task was finished he had to take the car to a garage (we paid an extra fee of $18/day), and walk back 650-meters (about SEVEN football fields). I was a little concerned, as Kathie is always saying "Don't let him out of your sight", but there is no way I could have walked that far.
When he returned, he said the neighborhood is fabulous - the kind of place I've always said I'd love to live with everything (shops, groceries, restaurants, hair salons, etc.) close at hand. The perfect place for walking, which seems to be more difficult by the day. While walking back he found a large supermarket (about 3-blocks from apartment) and purchased two bags of ice. These are the largest ice cubes we've ever seen, but it is good to have ice, no matter what kind.
The apartment is on a very busy street, but traffic dies down at night, and with the glazed windows closed, there is no problem sleeping. It is very modern with all motorized blinds and rolladen (exterior blinds). The shower is walk-in, no lip, and the bathroom is totally handicap accessible. The bedroom is separated from the living area by only a glass wall with a motorized blind for privacy. The purpose of the glass is to expand the view from the living area - a stunning panorama over La Concha Bay and Santa Clara Island. Above the Mediterranean tile roofs, we can see part of the sandy beach Ondarreta.
It was a tiring day. A lot of stress for Ron with driving, hassling with parking, and walking 650-meters, plus carrying 6 pounds of ice several blocks. But we were in a lovely environment with an unbeatable view, a good place for a relaxing evening.
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