Bilbao
The Basque Country is a perfect summer destination for a break from the heat. The temperate weather makes it inviting during July and August, although several pincho bars we were interested in were closed for vacation while we were there. We stayed in a gracious apartment in the Indautxu district, a well-heeled neighborhood very close to the Guggenheim. Bilbao is clearly a very prosperous - and fairly new – city. It saw tremendous expansion in the 19th and 20th centuries. The construction of the Guggenheim was a catalyst for tourism in the city, which had previously been dominated by industry. I got the impression that there is some ambivalence about this new identity – the vibe is not quite as friendly as elsewhere in Spain.
Barcelona is very dry during the summer, so the lush green landscape and the respite from the bright sun was novel. The day we arrived was rainy, so we decided to visit the Guggenheim right away.
Scenes from in and around the museum:
Jenny Holzer's Installation for Bilbao | the incredible Richard Serra room | A view under the Puente La Salve from inside the building | Tulips by Jeff Koons with the Puente La Salve in the background
A view over the city from the Larreagaburu park, with the green Bilbao Arena in the foreground
The incredible txuleta - or chuleta, a local specialty - at Restaurant Arandia de Julen. Fork and hand for scale.
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Views of the cathedral, including a tiny cannabis store tucked under the monumental vaulted side porch.
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The Puente Colgante - hanging bridge - in Portugalete. Portugalete is west of central Bilbao on the estuary, closer to the working port and the Atlantic Ocean.
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Scenes from around town:
Vacuuming the street - Bilbao is so clean you can practically eat off the sidewalks | eating pinchos at the Guggenheim | the green tiled train station (FerroCarriles not Futbol Club)
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More scenes from around town:
Juxtaposition of busts at the Museum of Fine Arts of Bilbao | Looking across the river from the central food market | Quirky details reflect the rainy climate: a vast umbrella stand at the museum, and special covers for outdoor laundry hanging
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The views from the bus to San Sebastian capture both the lush greenness of the Basque Country, and its prosperous industrial economy.
