October 25, 2003
We checked out of the residence at 7:45 and walked to the train stop. We got there in plenty of time so we had to wait. We took the first train to Zaragoza. We only had a few minutes to catch the next train to San Sabastian where we intended to go. When I asked the train clerk what track it was on, he said the train was full! Now what do we do? He said we could go to Pamplona and then try for a train tomorrow. So that is what we did.
In the Zaragoza train station they had scanners. That was the first time I ran into that. After reading about a terrorist group called the ETA, I was thinking that is why they have scanners. The ETA group is located in the Basque region and they are Basques who want to have the Basque region to be its own country. It is only about 30% of the Basque's who feel that way.
We got on a train that we thought was going to Pamplona. Luckily the train conductor told us that we had to change trains at a certain stop. We arrived in Pomplona about 4:45. We had to catch a bus from the train station to the center.
We found a place to stay. It was listed in the book we were using. It was only 14 euros. It was small but clean.
Pamplona is known for the famous "running of the bulls". We walked the route of it. It isn't too long. I don't know why anybody would consider such a thing. An American died in 1995 trying to out run the bulls.
Pamplona is a nice little place. We walked all over. They have lots of shops. Most places were closed because they close early on Saturday. There was also a nice park we walked through. We came across a street vendor. They were selling churro's. They are long deep fried dough sticks with sugar. Laurie and I bought a bag. Delicious!
When we were headed back to the place we were trying to find a place for "take away" food. We couldn't find anything amdist all of the shops. Lots of bars where the people go with their kids and have coffee or beer and visit with friends. We finally came across a Pizza Hut! We decided it was about our only option. We ordered and took it to our room.
I checked the book for train times to get to San Sebastian tomorrow. The time table said 7:14. The buses don't start running until 6:55. We certainly were going to be cutting it close. We were going to have to get up early to get there. I then remembered it was the last Saturday of the month--time change. We didn't know if they change the clocks the same time or not. I thought if I asked anyone they wouldn't understand. I didn't think I had enough Spanish to ask them. So I saw a large hotel. I figured they would have to speak some English. So we went in to ask. We do indeed change the clocks. Hooray, we get to sleep longer.
So I ate dinner about 9:00 and read. Then it was time for bed.
One of the things I had thought about while traveling on the train was how much I miss the freedom of a car. On the train I could see the highways and cars moving along. I miss being able to go when I want and where I want. We have to work around time schedules, trains, and buses. There are some places that we can't get to because of it. I don't want to sound like I am complaining, because I am certainly seeing and doing many things.
While I am on things I miss besides family and friends, is my home and being able to go home after hiking and cooking when I want and watching TV comfortably on the couch. We can't always cook at places which means we have to eat out. In Spain they eat so late, sometimes places don't open until 8:00 to eat dinner
October 26, 2003
We got up at 6:00 to go catch the bus. We were actually hoping that the bus would start at 6:30 and not 6:50. So we got there before 6:30. I saw a bus but it was not ours. I asked the bus driver by practicing my Spanish when our bus driver would come. It was 6:50. We waited. It was cool and damp. It had been raining through the night and it was still misty.
Our bus came. We were on a time mission. We did get to the station in time. I looked on the board for the train. It said platform 1. There was a train, a big modern one. They were checking tickets and we showed our Eurail ticket. They said it would still cost 8 euros and that we had to go to the ticket counter. I tried asking if it was the correct train, they didn't really answer me. So we went to the ticket counter. Come to find out, that train was going to Madrid and that there is not a train to San Sabastian until 6:30 at night. Now where do we go? It seems like someone doesn't want us to get there. I guess because it is fall and a Sunday they cut down the service.
So we decided to take a bus to San Sebastian. We had to catch a bus back to the center and get the bus. We got there before the ticket office opened. It didn't open until 8:00. The train for San Sebastian was at 8:15.
We finally got to San Sebastian. The bus actually took less time then the train. We started walking towards the information center and where the hostels are located. A woman approached us because she noticed I had a tourist book and was looking at a map. She asked if we needed a pension. She spoke in Spanish. We told her we were looking for the tourist information. She told us, but she was telling us she had a room that was very clean and there was a "muy grande" bathroom. She said come look. So we did. It was nice and clean and there was a large bathroom. We decided to stay. The room wasn't made up because the people just left. So we left our packs there and headed to the information center. It was still pretty grim out. After the information center, we walked along the sidewalk that goes along the coast. San Sebastian is a big summer time place. Even in the gray day it was a neat place. There were lots of people out walking and running.
After the walk we stopped at a grocery store and picked up a few things. We went back to the room. The beds were all done. The room was nice and it had a TV. Not that we would watch it. It only has Spanish stations.
