Exploring Bilbao

It was sad to say goodbye to Burgos, it is such a lovely city. However, the Basque Country awaited.

We arrived in Bilbao about 11 am and headed right for the Guggenheim Museum. We were all very intrigued by the "poppy puppy" sculpture in front of the museum (see pix), an emblem of the city.

We spent a couple of hours exploring the museum, each of us with our individualized taped guided tour. Of course while the students loved learning more about modern art, the real draw was the building itself. Shaped like a wave and made entirely of steel, it represents the host city itself. Bilbao is a port city with its main export being iron and steel.

After the Guggenheim we walked into the old town and had lunch at a terrace in front of the Gothic Cathedral. We made an impromptu decision (as we had a few hours of free time) to find the town's funicular. We had heard at the top there are amazing views of the city. Many of the students hadn't even heard of the word funicular, let alone been on one, so it was a real treat. I don't think there are very many in the states.

Anyway, after spending the day in Bilbao we headed for a rustic inn, our night's lodging in the backwoods of the Basque Country. We watched the Spain v. Chile soccer match in the hotel lodge along with tons of other screaming native Spanish soccer fans. Good thing Spain won! It was fun to feel the passion in the room.

Now, off to San Sebastian!!!

Hasta pronto.