Day 14

I think it’s too funny that the make-up of Elena’s kitchen—the silverware holders, napkin holders, dishes, organization, everything mirrors her mother’s kitchen exactly. Despite feeling like I’m back to my normal appetite now, Elena’s mother says I don’t eat enough. “Coge! Coge! No, coge mucho! COGE MAS!” (This wasn’t in response to me being shy about taking food, I was taking plenty) It cracks me up that she, Elena, and Claudia, all say “aver” about every minute exactly the same way. Too funny to see how they look exactly the same in some moments.

I took a long metro ride into Central Bilbao, which is like a smaller, calmer, greener version of Madrid. I am completely enchanted with Bilbao, the Museo Guggenheim is crazily structured, and the plazas and parks surrounding Museo de Bellas Artes are gorgeous. Apparently I love rose bushes and there are lots here with old walkway architecture and vines. Neither of the cameras I brought are presently functioning. :/ I attempted some pics with Benji (I never take him with me, but I didn’t want to leave him at the flat with Hugo), none came out very well, but it’s something. This one is a statue in Don Casilda Park with a sort of chain of people helping each other up and an angel at the top. 

The Basque language here is crazy! Lots of Xs and Zs and letters that are hardly ever used in English as well as some ridiculously long words that are awkward to even sound out. I haven’t met anyone who actually speaks it, everyone just says it’s a very difficult language, and it certainly looks that way.

This family marvels at how much color I’ve gotten, they say I look like I’ve spent the weekend in the Bahamas and not Bilbao. I have been in the coastal sun almost all day yesterday and today so the little that was exposed of me has darkened quite a bit. I’ve got some pretty fun tan lines at the moment.