Living in a tiny apartment with five other people and constantly surrounded by noise and personality made me forget how much I enjoy being alone.
Recently, I decided to take a little day trip to one of the cities neighboring Bilbao, Donostia-San Sebastián. I had a weekend all to myself and wanted to make it back to the small beach town after hearing about a specific ocean-water therapy-based spa called La Perla.
So I booked a morning bus, made a reservation for 9:30 am, and I was off. Upon arrival I was greeted by gray clouds and lots of rain, not exactly ideal for a spa day, but we made do.
I had two hours at La Perla to enjoy the various pools and saunas. There was even a door leading out onto the beach, which due to the gray sky and frigid temperature I did not intend on taking advantage of. That was until I met Maite.
I was struggling to tighten my swimsuit top in the bathroom when an older Spanish woman came in and offered me help. I told her it was my first time at the facility and she got so excited, insisting she show me around and introduce me to her friends. Soon I was sitting in a sauna with a bunch of 80-year-old Spanish folk, talking chisme (gossip) with them. It’s amazing to see how much life is in the older generation. We shared jokes and little ice cubes you were supposed to rub on your legs in case you got too hot.
Eventually Maite convinced me to go out in the freezing cold ocean with her, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. We had the best time, laughing and screaming and jumping over the waves.
I spent the rest of the time enjoying the various sea-water pools, bubbles and jets, before seeing my time was up. Maite reminded me of a grandmother, insisting to help blow-dry my hair and walk me out. I will certainly remember that experience for the rest of my life.
After, I decided to explore old-town (I bought myself a pin that looked like a pintxo de tortilla, SO CUTE!) before climbing up Parque de Urgull and seeing the tall statue of Jesus “El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús”. It was so peaceful being on my own, getting to enjoy the rainy weather and lush greenery. There were various colorful flowers growing around memorial stones. It was perfect, not too hard of a hike, but once it got too cold and rainy I decided to cut my losses and head back down into town.
There, I treated myself to some patatas bravas and well-known San Sebastián cider. I brought my book and read for at least an hour while I enjoyed my snack, chatting with other customers and the staff (who didn’t end up charging me for my cider, so sweet!)
The rain started to let up by then, so I did some souvenir shopping for family and friends, getting to see the pretty architecture and cathedral throughout the small city.
Walking along Ramon Maria Lili Pasealekua, a street by the ocean, I hit every stand at the Christmas markets, treating myself to some churros and chocolate before visiting a nearby nativity scene in a little park.
Before getting on my bus home I ended the night walking along the beach, calling family members and accidentally stumbling in on a church service in the cathedral next to the bus station (same thing happened in London at St: Paul’s Cathedral, how fun!)
It was the perfect me-day, exactly what I needed. Though I do hope I can come back when it’s not too rainy next time!
Agur!
-GM ❤
DU Abroad 