San Sebastian So Far

San Sebastian has been incredible. I have remained curious and leaned into Basque Country culture to make the most of my time here. So far, session 3 has built a strong sense of community, and I have been fortunate to make new friends. We’ve been exploring the city, trying popular pintxos, and truly enjoying ourselves.

I continue to be fascinated by the concept of time in San Sebastian. Time in Spain seems to be more flexible and social. Napping is part of the culture here, which adds a late social aspect to daily life. I’ve noticed locals move through their day by using time as a guide for daily routines, instead of a stressor like in America.

Personally, I experienced the most culture shock while studying Spanish at Lacunza. As a native Spanish speaker, I’ve struggled to produce Spanish in academic settings. Native speakers tend to receive the language and rarely have to actively contribute or produce the language. I have struggled with writing and speaking conventions for essays, and debates in class, but being uncomfortable pushes you to improve. I’m looking forward to relying on this experience as a guide to improve my Spanish production.

History of Txakoli

Txakoli wine is unique to the Basque Country. It’s been a tradition for the Talai family for five generations. The wine-making process has a quick turnaround. Pruning happens from December to February. In March, leaves start to sprout, and by May, there is floral growth. June sees tiny grapes forming on the vines. Throughout the summer, they ripen, and by September, they’re processed and finished.

Grapes are pressed using a pneumatic machine. The last 5% is discarded because of its poor quality, but used for stronger alcohol. After three weeks, the wine is ready to ferment. The lids are kept on to trap carbonation, keeping the wine bubbly. This is the key feature of Txakoli. It is slightly bubbly with carbonation. To bottle it, the wine is kept at a temperature three to four degrees below zero. After the wine is bottled, it needs to dry before stickers are applied.  

The winery in Getaria emphasizes tradition and heritage. The stickers on their wines reflect pride in quality and origin, allowing them to sell across Europe, Japan, and the US. 

Winery Experience

Our visit to the Winery on a Monday was perfect. The weather cooled down from the previous week, which allowed me to fully absorb the visit. It also felt nice to be together, as a a session dressed up for the occasion, and taking group photos. I particularly enjoyed seeing everyone together as a session since, at this point, our session has eased apart a bit. 

The speaker’s passion was very engaging and inspiring. Her enthusiasm and ability to connect us made the experience memorable. I admire her dedication to community and organization. The layout and architecture of the winery, especially the balcony, helped foster a social atmosphere for us to enjoy the wine.

I have noticed the passion people in Spain carry. This is refreshing to see. In America, burnout stories are common, but seeing how people in Spain maintain their passion is inspiring. This has provided me solid reflection on staying grounded and slowing down when I go back to America. I am honored to be part of such a welcoming culture.