San Sebastian

We've been slow to post about the four nights we spent in San Sebastian, probably because this is such an amazingly beautiful and fun city that it seems like you'd have to write a lot. But in fact, visiting San Sebastian for us was all about the simple things. Sometimes a complex take on simple things, as in the many complicated and artfully arranged bar snacks that are the signature food of the city ("pintxos," the Basque version of tapas). But mostly we walked around, enjoyed the sunshine and warmth, watched waves and boats and surfers on the Atlantic, ate good food and drank the local wine and cider. Someday we hope to go back and do it all over again. 

The city is built around a circular bay, protected on either side by big hills/cliffs as well as a small island in the middle, Santa Klara. On the eastern side, Monte Urgull, there are walking paths and seating areas you can climb up to. It's a great place to climb around and watch the sunset.

The main beach, Playa de la Concha, from above.

A boat on the bay at sunset.

Jeff likes sunsets. Having his picture taken, not so much.

Me climbing. Once we got higher up on these stairs, it became pretty apparent that this was no longer an official route to the top, but it worked anyway.

There's a giant statue of Jesus topping the old military fortifications on the top of the hill.

On the other side of the bay, there's a viewing area at the bottom :

(you can just barely see the big JC on Monte Urgull in the distance)

But you have to take a funicular to the top of Monte Igueldo. The funicular was inaugurated in 1912 and is therefore almost a hundred years old. They say they've updated the mechanics, that only the actual seating car is the same, so there's nothing to worry about, but you know...

I worry a little.

Here's the view from the top. Worth the ride.

There is also a "FunFair" at the top of Monte Igueldo, including an Olde Mill (or equivalent), a Casa Del Terror, bumper cars, and other things that I guess children like. Such as the world's scariest roller coaster, first constructed in 1925:

Updated since then, surely? Doesn't look like it.

Even if it didn't break, I would die from a heart attack on this thing. 

San Sebastian also has a good surfing beach, less protected and with better waves. 

It is also, I think, a good place for performance art. Or to stand and stare out at the sea and think about the vicissitudes of life. 

Not entirely sure which activity this lady was engaged in.

Or indeed if she was born a lady.

We have now been back in Paris for almost a week, and it's as rainy and grey as ever, but at least I feel assured that the sky is still blue and the sun still exists. In Spain, anyway.