Tapas Night in San Sebastian

 

"Should we get more tapas here or try every other place on this street?" is always the question when in San Sebastian. There are endless tapas and they are as artistically presented as they are delicious. It seems that every region in Spain has its own signature tapas and varying ways of ordering/presenting them. In northern Spain, especially in places like San Sebastian or Pamplona, tapas are displayed similarly to jewels in a jewelry store. They are often under glass, and you point to the ones you want. If you know their names, you can tell the waitstaff, but often, they are ordered from a counter along with your wine or beer of choice. Each serving, consisting of 3-4 bites of food, costs around $3. While it can add up fast, I often just want a bite of food when out with friends instead of a whole expensive plate of something. For people who like to graze and try a bit of everything, this is a great way to dine.

In Seville, you often order from a menu. It definitely helps to have an English menu if you aren't a fluent Spanish speaker, or be prepared to do a lot of typing in Google Translate (download it in your language of choice so you don't have to worry about wi-fi or cellular data.) In Granada, the bartender creates individual tapas just for you based on your drink. In many places, you have no say in what you get. It is a fun surprise, and one can make entire meals by going from place to place, buying only drinks, and enjoying these artistic, or some may say scientific, presentations. SOLD.

View of San Sebastian

 

Last year before starting the Camino de Santiago, I took a short vacation in San Sebastian. I couldn't find a great way to get to Saint Jean Pied de Port, so I went with what seemed to be the cheapest option at first. In retrospect, it wasn't cheap simply because it created a mini vacation within the Camino adventure. But it was a great palette cleanser between real life and the arduous pilgrimage. The flight to Barcelona was less expensive and shorter than any other option. I spent one night at a Barcelona airport hotel and then took a short and inexpensive flight to San Sebastian the next day. After the mini vacation, I bussed to Pamplona and then to Saint Jean Pied de Port. I don't think there is an easy way to get to SJPDP, and this option allowed me to see one of my biggest bucket list destinations. 

I was first inspired to visit this town in college because Ernest Hemingway mentions it in The Sun Also Rises, making it seem luxurious. It did not disappoint. I stayed in a nice yet affordable hotel within a ten minute walk of the beach. I loved exploring the hills, the beaches, and the shops. Because I was getting ready to embark on the Camino, I of course didn't partake in any shopping, but I took the time to acclimate myself to the tapas bar culture. This segment of the trip became practice time for ordering the food I wanted in a language I don't speak, and while alone in places that are meant to be social. It was awkward. But, what is an adventure without awkwardness? My hotel bordered a residential area, and my favorite place was a small bar that served wine and tapas. It was frequented by elderly locals who all knew each other and engaged in boisterous conversations that I couldn't understand. They pretty much ignored me while I furtively observed their interactions as my evening entertainment. 

The view in this painting is located at the base of Mount Urgull, which holds the Sacred Heart Christ Statue at its peak. I hiked the hill in preparation for the Camino, as the first day of the pilgrimage is thought to be the most challenging. On the Camino, you are rewarded with gorgeous views of nature. In San Sebastian, the high climbs are rewarded with views of the Bay of Biscay, the town, and its boats.

Oil on 24" x 36" stretched canvas. SOLD.