The year was 2006, the month was April, and the temperatures in Madrid were beginning to edge towards, “too warm for comfort” (at least for this Minnesota born girl). The good news? One of my best friends was in the city visiting me and we had purchased a pair of bus tickets to the coast to get out of the city for the weekend.
I picked him up at his hostel in the late morning and we threw our backpacks over our shoulders, hurtling through the underground tunnels to the bus station. When we got on our trusty vessel, we settled in for a little nap.
I awoke a few hours later to a surprisingly hilly, woodsy Spain. Previous bus and train trips had either been too short or too dark to see much of the country in-between Madrid and my various destinations, and I was excited to note that the northern country closely resembled some of the land not too far from my home, close to the rolling hills and wood lined roadways of northern Wisconsin.
What we discovered in San Sebastian was unlike any other place I’ve been before. We spent an afternoon camped out on the beach (La Concha), changing into swimsuit tops in the public bathrooms and lazily talking about our lives, which felt like they were stretched out before us like the sparkling aqua waters of the Bay of Biscay.
Later in the evening we sat at a tiny bar and ate tapas of tortilla patata and drank beers standing up and trying to communicate with the bartender. After laughing at our inability to speak the correct dialect (heck, the correct language even), we strolled back to our hotel.
The next day we wound our way by foot around the shore, exploring the river and wandering around finding ice cream shops and unknown cathedrals in the town. We were charmed by the “wind comb,” the city’s sculpture by the sea, and laughed as kids ran and screamed as water sprayed them over the rocks.
As the day would progress, we got caught in the rain on our way back to the bus stop to take an overnight bus back to Madrid. I got sick as a result of a beer/ gummy candy/ stale bread induced diet. On Monday, my friend flew back to the states and I had to go back to classes and the bustle of the city. But none of it mattered, because for a short time it sure felt like the world was our oyster, like we were two little pearls nestled safely in the “shell” of San Sebastian, and that nothing else in the world mattered.
What is your favorite beach town? When was the last time you were utterly charmed by a quaint little place by the seaside?
Meri
Meri–this is beautiful writing. The day(s) you describe sound so much like what my office mate has told me about studying in Spain.
Thank you Terri- its a beautiful place and I had a lot of fun writing this post!
Wow. So well written, I felt like I was there! Nice, France is one of my favorite beach “towns”. Also, Morro Bay in CA is another. Beautiful little art community too. This makes me want to visit Spain!
Amber
Thank you! I’ve not been to either Nice or Morro Bay, but I’ll have to add them to the long long list 🙂
Tapas! Oh you just made me start craving for paella and sangria. I really want to go to Spain, I was supposed to go this year but I don’t see that happening any time soon, trip plans are changing destinations … but it looks like a really nice place, and isn’t it just lovely to do nothing and let hours go by at the beach without worrying?
it really does take all of your worries away 🙂 I’ll have to make a fake beach indoors haha
my fave beach town is right here in haleiwa on the north shore.
[oomph.]
I am so jealous!
Sounds like a lovely escape. My mom’s foreign exchange student from when she was in high school lives in San Sebastian: I always wanted to go. I think my favorite beach town is probably Penzance, Cornwall, although I’ve never been there when it was warm enough to actually have a swimsuit on!
that sounds misty and mysterious though, I have always wanted to explore more of great britain!
It sounds like you had a lovely time! I wish that I got more opportunities to travel. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do.
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I feel like since college my travel has been FAR too domestic- I long to go overseas or further abroad!
Beautiful photos, beautiful words! I hope I can go to Spain someday…
Thank you Stephanie! I hope I can go back…
Great pics! I love memories like that 🙂
My fave beach town (although I love tropical and southern beaches too) is Rockport Maine. When I lived Boston, we’d travel up to Rockport and get a whole different feel—quaint for sure.
Now I’m feeling nostalgic!
I have never been there, but to me there is something very romanticized in my head about the northeast, I want to go back to Maine!
What a perfect story. You’re lucky to have such an amazing experience under your belt. I’m quite jealous. I’ve never been out of the country! :S These photos are awesome too, btw.
My favorite beach town is Clearwater, Fl. I grew up in Tampa and spent practically every single weekend of my childhood in Clearwater with my family and friends. The beach water was warm, the skies were clear, and it had such a small-town feel, which made it very special. My friends and I could walk all over town, shopping or grabbing lunch, at 12-years-old, and feel safe. Those were good days. 🙂
I’ve heard a lot of great things about Clearwater, and obviously the name sounds pretty great too 🙂 I’ve not been to key west either, another spot in FL I want to go to.
What a gorgeous place! I adore beaches.
One of our favourites is a place called Whangapoua, which is on the Coromandel Peninsula here in New Zealand. Pure white beach. Little island just off the beach…. gorgeous blue water.
that sounds incredible- someone else was talking about some of the beaches in New Zealand and they sound UNREAL!
That sounds like such a wonderful experience. Seriously, I kind of feel like I was there with you because you wrote about the weekend so well! 🙂
well thank you very much! I hope some day you can go there (and that I can return!)
WOW that was beautiful.
other than the local beaches nearby I’ve never really felt like that anywhere; but than again, where have i ever gone?
thanks for the mental vacation!
xo
you’re welcome- I needed one too haha
There are two beach towns I love, one is Boracay (http://bit.ly/y332pr) in the Philippines which is an island featuring fine white sand and clear water with lots of things to do from shopping, partying, bar hopping and eating. Another one is Akaroa (http://bit.ly/zeCUA5) which is a small French town in New Zealand, going there and looking at the beach is just so picturesque
Uh-oh- two new spots for my travel list!
I love the way you write/tell stories. Especially travel stories. I felt like I was there! Granted I’ve never been to Spain but still!
I think my favorite beach town is Montauk, Long Island. It is just so charming and laid back. I absolutely love going there in summer.
thank you, that makes me feel so good! I’ve never been to Montauk but it sounds fabulous. I will add it to my loooong travel list haha!