By Jesse Friedman
The past 10 days spent in San Sebastian have been nothing short of spectacular. The picturesque city buzzes with excitement each day and I feel incredibly lucky to take it all in. Each street is beautiful with detailed architecture that is surrounded by oceanside views- a distinct difference from back home. Exploring the city of Donostia truly feels like a dream.
One of my favorite aspects of my time in Spain is getting close to Spanish and Basque culture, and my favorite way to do it is through experiencing local gastronomy. Of course, I had to try out as many pintxos as possible. My favorite so far being the Gilda and the Delicia, other pintxos such as the calemares en tinta (squid with ink) are less favorable, however it is still worth it to try as many as possible. Beyond experiencing Basque culture through gastronomy, the city continues to fascinate me. From the innovative basque food scene, to the beautifully detailed architecture, and the overall liveliness of the city, there is not a single part of the city that feels bland. In the evenings it’s easy to get lost in the middle of town, observing fiestas that seem to occur at random and enjoying the excitement that fills the streets each night.
In the morning I wake up sleepy from all the adventures that occurred the day before, however, I quickly am rejuvenated by the excitement of what’s ahead. Even my commute to Spanish school contains a unique beauty, as my bike ride weaves through local towns and I enjoy viewing the basque coast and the Bay of Biscay. When I arrive at Spanish class each morning, I spend the first hours of my day picking up on information I can later use to communicate with locals. During class, I also get to meet other students from all around the world who are also in San Sebastián to learn Spanish. And during break I get to practice my newly learned Spanish in local cafes while I socialize with other students over bocadillos and cappuccinos.
After Spanish class concludes on weekdays, the whole group engages in activities that further deepen our understanding of the Basque country. Today, on July 15th, our group walked to the Comb of the Wind, located at Ondarreta beach. As we discussed the significance of the sculptures created by basque artists, surging waves crashed behind us. One of the most memorable parts about studying in San Sabastian is that each day is seldom mundane and every moment hosts unexpected beauty.
Continuing into the afternoon our group hiked Mount Igueldo. We climbed a steep greystoned staircase that guided us onto a funicular ride, which took us thousands of feet above the ground. Once our group arrived at the top, the expansive view of the city glimmered in the distance. When our attention finally diverted away from the magnificent landscapes below us, we enjoyed one of the oldest amusement parks in all of Western Europe. There, a short rollercoaster ride that is over 100 years old is woven around the cliffside. Cruising alongside the mountainous bluff triggered butterflies in our stomachs, lighthearted screams, and memories to last. Finally, wrapping up our amusement park adventures with a gelato and newfound friends was the perfect way to end our group tour of Mount Igueldo.
In Donastia, where each day brings forth a new adventure and every morning introduces a novel experience, there’s always an opportunity to learn something new. Coming into the trip with no prior experience learning Spanish, I was initially nervous about a language barrier. However, in just over a week I have started to understand full conversations in Spanish and speak just enough to interact with locals. Although I was previously skeptical about traveling to a country where I did not speak the language, my abroad experience so far has shifted my mindset. I am now much more confident in taking on these challenges and have a lot of fun doing it. As the days pass and the study abroad program comes closer to the halfway mark, I am surprised at just how much I have learned in such a short time. Whether I am familiarizing myself with a new city or expanding upon my communication skills, I am sure I will take these valuable experiences back home.
