Bilbao was departed in a driving rain. The highways going east toward Guernika are modern tolls which pass through numerous tunnels in t mountainous terrain. Spain has spent a good deal of money on these roads – maybe Loop 820 and Highway 183 and 121 will be so fine. Houses along the way are white, multistoried with red tile roofs decorated with solar panels and TV dishes.
Guernika is located in a valley area and much larger than we expected. We sought out the yellow "I" – the tourist information place to get acclimated. The Peace Museum is a memoriam resulting from the bombing of Guernika during the Spanish Civil War – the Germans used Guernika as a place to test their armaments. Almost total destruction and death occurred. The museum had a room that replicated being in the bombing. The group was shut in a room which simulated the time and one could hear the sounds of planes and bombs and then the lights went out. When they came back on, one wall depicted the total destruction that occurred. Very impressive. A grainy film showed the actual devastation. A replica of Picasso's "Guernika" is in the museum. A ceramic replica is on the wall near the parque church. The parque surrounds the stump of a tree where people met to choose their leaders. Since only the stump is left, a new tree has been planted nearby to signify the occasion. We did go into the church – an old building, modern inside – no kneelers, electric candles, and a video screen to one side of the altar. WOW!
After streaming downhill to San Sebastian, on the Bay of Biscay, we had trouble navigating crowded streets so we did not tarry – and it was still raining. We got turned around, not lost, so finally headed to the town of Hondarribia where we were to spend the night at the Hotel Jaurequi. We checked in and parked the car in a lot by the bay. Across the bay from Hondarribia is Hendaye, France.
A late lunch and a quick nap gave us the courage to face the cold winds and an uphill walk to the old city which is walled. We walked across a long bridge (over the old moat?) through the west gate. After exclaiming over the way the old walls of houses meshed with newer establishments, we hurriedly scurried downhill, through the north gate and to the nearest spot that served hot tea/coffee. Then we strolled back through the narrow streets and colorful houses to our hotel. Fannette beamed up her computer and your comments to our blog were enjoyed. Thanks to each of you!
Adios/Adieu until tomorrow when we begin to traverse the "Way of St. James" or the Camino de Santiago beginning in St. Jean Pied de Pont.
Better than the Chihuahua Trail?
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