Laurie and I walked on to the next place and spoke to the owner. He had the four nights and he showed us the room. It really isn't a pension, but called a "turismoa agroturiemoa". It is located in the bottom of the owner's home. There are rooms and it has a common kitchen and living space. There was a family there. I wasn't quite sure what it was when we first went in. I felt like I was intruding in someone's home. Anyways, the man was able to get it across to us. We told him we would take it for four nights.
We left that place and we went on a search for a trail that would take us to a park information office. The area that we are in is called the Pagoeta Nature Reserve. We had a map that we had picked up at the office in the center. The trail looked like it went right behind someone's house. We found the house and there was an older woman out front. We tried to explain what we were looking for in our little Spainsh and the map. She seemed to understand. She got out her hiking stick and proceeded to show us where to go.
We had to go in muck land, it was steep. I was not prepared to walk in it. I only had sneakers on. We continued down and finally got on something a little firmer. We tried to tell her that she didn't have to go all the way with us. I didn't want to offend her so I tried to explain. I think she understood but wanted to go a little more with us.
We got to this place called Agorregi. It was listed in a pamphlet that I had picked up at the San Sebastian tourist office. It is an old forge that was built in 1754. The forge is open on week-ends only this time of year. It shows how iron was worked before iron blast furnaces.
This is where the woman left us to go back home. I think she felt we could find our way from here to Oturran where the park office is. It was a short way to the office and it was among the botanical garden. Not many things were blooming, but there were a few things.
We got to the office. Officially it was closed but there were people there and they were willing to talk to us. One even spoke English. The woman told us that on Saturday there was a guided tour of a beehive and of the Agorregi forge. So that will be fun to do this Saturday. The woman also told us of some good hikes.
We made our way back to Aia. We stopped by the tourist office to tell the woman, Itziar, (a Basque name) that we found a place to stay and would be back on Thursday. Itziar gave us her telephone number if we needed anything.
We caught the 1:00 bus back to San Sebastian. It started raining again. Luckily while we were hiking it was nice. We got back to San Sebastian about 2:00. It was a raw cold out and I wanted some hot chocolate to warm me up. We stopped at a cafe. The woman there spoke English so I asked how to ask for it not so thick, like it was yesterday. She made me some and it was perfect. Laruie and I also picked up some pastries to go with it.
We went back to our room and snacked on the delicious pastries. We had three different kinds. I read for awhile and then napped and then read again .
We went to try to find this camping club. We tried yesterday, but they had moved. It was on the other side of the bridge. It was raining lightly. We found the place and went in. We found a couple of people that spoke English. One man was very helpful. His name was Jon. He also leads hikes. He told us that he is leading one this coming Sunday. Our problem is that we will be in Aia and there aren't any buses that run on Sunday. He said he might possibly be able to pick us up, but it is out of the way. He works for a company that leads hikes and the tour hires the company for the tourists and others. We got his number and told him we would call him on Saturday.
By the time we left there it was pouring. I got my raincoat out. We walked back over to the old section to try to find a place to eat. The place we checked out was more money than we wanted to pay so we left. I was soaked all over except my shirt.
We walked to another place and sat down. I hated to sit down because I could then feel how wet I really was. I ordered a hamburger and Laurie ordered a chicken sandwich. The hamburger was the best that I have had in a long time.
We walked back to the room and it was about 9:45 when we got there. I showered hoping to warm up. I was chilled from being wet.
I stayed up until 1:00 reading. I couldn't put my book down.
October 29, 2003
I couldn't tell what the weather was going to do. It wasn't raining, but it did look gray. We decided to walk before it started to rain.
We had a bite to eat first at a corner cafe near our room. We then walked to Mt. Urgull. On the top of Mt. Urgull is an old fort that was built in the 12th century. We had great views of the horseshoe shaped bay and beach. We walked around up there and then headed back down.
We walked along the sidewalk by the beach. I wanted to see Miramar Park. I wasn't that impressed and then I found out that it was not the place I wanted to see. Well, I won't get the chance now because I am leaving tomorrow.
Laurie and I then walked back along the beach. We took off our shoes and socks and walked in the water. It was a little chilly but not freezing. There were people actually swimming. Now that is a little crazy.
We walked over the bridge to the other side of the city and walked along there. It started sprinkling there. I wish we could have one complete sunny day. I guess I shouldn't complain because we have had very little rain since we started eight months ago.
We went back to the room, got our dirty and wet clothes and took them to the laundromat. I am now sitting in a restaurant writing notes, and drinking diet pepsi, waiting for the laundry to be ready.
