Blending in with Bilbao

It was only an hour and a half bus ride from San Sebastian to Bilbao, but we quickly learned upon stepping off the bus that we were walking into a completely new territory: one with blended old and new architecture and the air of a younger generation's political stomping ground, all tied together with pixie cuts and nose piercings.

Note to self: Buy leather jacket.

We may think we stand out as Americans in Madrid, but in Bilbao it doesn't matter what race, ethncity or culture you come from...if you're not from Bilbao, they'll know it. I've never been to a city that is so uniform in style-at least in the parts that we visited in stayed in. Bilbao's style is so unique: edgy, yet still trendy. I could dig it.

So we thought, well if we're going to stand out, might as well stand out as tourists. On to the Guggenheim!

The Guggenheim

The Guggenheim found its perfect home in Bilbao, seeing that it is also very unique- the most unique museum I've ever been to, from its architecture to its exhibitions. Instead of trying to describe this beautiful and intricate building, I'll just show a photo (and yes the first pic is from the internet because my pictures could just never do it justice).

Photos inside weren't allowed, which was such a shame, because we saw everything from art by Picasso and Andy Warhol, to Avant-garde artwork and even a steel-sculptured labrynth that you can actually walk through (The Matter of Time by Richard Serra). I'd have to say my favorite collection was the Pop-art, which took place in U.S. and Great Britain from the 1950s-60s. The whole objective of Pop art was to explore the world of popular culture; so they based their techniques and unique artwork on mass production, the media and consumer society. As someone with a degree in Strategic Communication (Advertising and PR), the use of advertising, billboards, movies, comic strips and shop windows really caught my attention. The art was also very witty and ironic so as to both celebrate and critique popular culture.

James Rosinquist, Flamingo Capsule

(For more info, click here)

Alhondiga Bilbao

We got a little turned around on our way to find this entertainment center in Bilbao, partly because we were swimming upstream among all of the Atlético de Madrid fútbol fans (practically the whole city) who were making their way towards the stadium that day.

But once we got there, it was pretty well worth it. The main attraction, among the gym, swimming pool, huge library and restaraunt, are the 43 columns. Exciting right? But these columns actually all have different designs that represent the varying cultures around the world (created by Phillipe Starck). We didn't stay there for long, but it was interesting to see!

La Costa with Enrique

The phrase, "It's a small world" still has merit in Spain. Kate actually had a connection in Bilbao through a friend. We ended up meeting up with a boy around our age named Enrique, who lives a little outside of Bilbao. We couldn't have asked for a better new friend in Bilbao, or better tour guide to be honest...Enrique was nice enough to dedicate half the day driving us to the coast of Bilbao in his car (about 20ish minutes), taking us to see a small pueblo, treating us to drinks at a restaraunt on the coast and showing us all the views of the Atlantic Ocean from different points of the coast. He even ended the trip with a surprise visit to a huge bridge in a town outside of Bilbao where he bought tickets for us to ride to the top in an elevator and see the amazing night-time view of the city.

The coast was absolutely breathtaking, even on a rainy day. From the restaraunt, we watched the sun set on the water through the wall-sized windows, while sipping on Kalimotxos of course. We could only imagine what the coast is like during the summer. Enrique said all his friends would lay out at the beach, swim and surf; and then later come up to the restaraunt to have a few beers and eat. Sounds amazing.

The restaraunt above!

We also became very well-educated on the political stances of Bilbao through Enrique as well. He described the entire situation that has happened with the group of Basque people (almost half the population) wanting independence from Spain. In previous years (even going back to about 20 years), it had actually been very dangerous to live in certain areas of Bilbao or to even hang a Spanish flag outside your house.

El Casco Viejo

El Casco Viejo is pretty much just the older sector of Bilboa, but it's where we went the most; maybe this was because our hostel was located right outside of the area, but mainly because it has the best places to get pinxos and is also where the younger generation goes out at night!

Casco Viejo actually used to be one of the most dangerous places to go when the Basque fight for independence had just gotten its start. We heard multiple testimonies about fights out in the streets and people actually killing. Today, the dispute isn't as physical and is simply more political, so it's not as dangerous. El Casco Viejo has now turned into a cultural hub and actually attracts tourists for this reason (so don't worry mom and dad, I made it out alive).

One night we actually went out to bars on one of the streets we heard was fun in Casco Viejo. We saw a flag hanging with Communist "phrases," however and decided to pass on and think nothing of it. But the next day when we went to the coast with Enrique, he said that that's actually where the young people go who want independence from Spain. So oops, we were walking the streets with the wrong crowd I guess...just call us American tourists.

It was interesting though (Communists or not) how the Bilbao kids go out. Everyone was just sitting out in the streets and drinking.

Not very sanitary, but I guess convenient?

All in all, our weekend to San Sebastian and Bilbao was such a fun, eye-opening and great getaway from the busy city of Madrid! Already trying to plan my trip back to the beach in San Sebastian for the summer! Who's in?!

#travel