My first project of the day was to study the manual for the washer/dryer combination, and start a load of laundry. As we suspected, it was an all-day affair. The first load of whites took 2 1/2 hours just to wash. Then another 1 3/4 hours to dry.
After that we took a break, and walked down the block and stopped in the Bar Pepe, as we saw they had the French Open on TV (which we, unfortunately, couldn't get on the TV in our apartment). We shared a couple pintxos (the Basque equivalent of tapas) - serrano ham and cheese croquette; grilled skewer prawns (lots more than expected). We then had a "small plate" - grilled squid, which was great. Finally, a mushroom "toast" au gratin. That was Ron's favorite, but it was more like a pizza, not the creamy mushrooms and cheese on real toast we can sometimes find in Germany. Later read pretty good reviews - mostly a locals place and very reasonable. One of the least expensive meals we've had in all our weeks in Europe. Fun, not fussy, kind of food.
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| Wooden menu at Bar Pepe |
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| Fried squid (left), mushroom toast au gratin |
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| Prawn Skewer, Ham and cheese croquet |
From there we walked a block to the taxi stand. There was one cab waiting, but just as we approached, a young man ran up and grabbed it. So, we had to stand and wait a few minutes. You cannot hail a taxi here (as in many European cities) and have to wait at a rank.
We went to Salamanca 1, where I had read the "tourist train" originated. The little "train" was there and almost fully loaded. I got on board while Ron went to buy the tickets.
San Sebastian (Donostia in Basque) is stunning. Unfortunately, with the speed of the "train", light poles, traffic, etc. it was very difficult to take decent pictures - not to mention the horrible camera we bought on the ship.
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| Along the River Urumea |
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| Hotel Maria Cristina (5*) |
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| Kursaal |
When the train returned us to Salamaca, we walked a couple blocks, past the beautiful Victora Eugenia Theater, and went into the Maria Cristina Hotel, a five-star property where Ron had a Grey Goose Martini and I had a glass of wine. I said I was much happier with the wine at Bar Pepe for a fraction of the price! But the hotel, public rooms and bars were so elegant and beautiful, in a style we don't see at home very often.
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| Hotel Maria Cristina (again, sorry for horrible camera) |
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| Ron's Martini |
We took a taxi back to the apartment. I started another load of laundry. Dark things on cooler temperature took "only" 1 1/4 hours. The drying afterward took even longer. I kept removing things to hang, but there wasn't much room and it didn't seem to help the situation. The European appliances are supposed to be so energy efficient, but if they take hours of extra electricity use, what is the point?
We went out for a walk about 6:30 PM to explore the neighborhood. Ron wanted to show me some things he had seen. There are so many nice little bakeries, fruit and veg shops amongst all the pintxos bars. We passed by a hugely popular tapas bar - people were sitting on curbs and spilling out into the street. We didn't want to be in a crowed of young people, so walked on. Ended up in a cute and friendly place across the street. We thought its name was "JAN EDAN & GOZATU", but I later learned that means "EAT DRINK & ENJOY" in Basque. We just had drinks, but there were tapas on the bar, and a cute restaurant in back. Loved the music - Dire Straits - especially "Sultans of Swing".
Throughout that neighborhood we noticed many elderly people, some in wheelchairs, some with canes, all assisted by a young "helper". Ron had noticed this on his earlier walks. Apparently there is some type of residential facility near there which provides assistants so the "old folks" can get out and about. What a nice concept! They're out strolling around at 8 PM instead of laying in bed watching TV.
Speaking of TV, we are disappointed we don't get any English language channel on the TV in our apartment. Not even BBC. So, we settled in with books we selected from the owner's cabinet (probably left by previous guests).
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