New Living Situation

Since the Barnetegi ended in Lazkao I have about a week before the next one starts. I will be going to Lesaka in Nafarroa, the Bortz-hiria region. I'm going to do another Barnetegi there for two weeks followed by another two weeks at different barnetegi in the province of Bizkaia. I will be at that one while the Herriko jaialdiak (Fiestas del pueblo) are happening in Bilbao. Which implies even more partying.

One thing remains clear after being here...the basques know how to party! In the summer there's pretty much a different village festival every weekend. I have been to one for the past two weekends. A week ago in Ordizia, and last night in Errenteria. I was with people from the Barnetegi when we went to the party in Ordizia. There were numerous local bands playing in the plaza. The whole night was great, some girls I met in the street gave me a t-shirt, I visited the local Gaztetxea (literally: Youth House). There were tons of people in the street.

Last night I took a 20min bus ride to the town of Errenteria because my friend, Juanan, invited me to celebrate his town's festival. I hung out with him and his cousin all night. There was a plaza filled with people and a dj playing. Most of the tunes the dj played were rather pop-y and I nearly pissed myself when he threw on Boom Boom I Want You in My Room by the Venga Boys. It was a lot of fun though. Juanan introduced me to a lot of his friends and we ended up partying in the streets till after the sunrise. I took a bus back to Donostia, and walked through the old part, already too late on a sunday morning to have to dodge drunken folk in order to make it back to my new home.

I rented a shared flat for a week. It's located in the old part just at the foot of Monte Urgull on the most famous street of the city, La calle 31 de Agosto.

From Wikipedia:
1813 On 31 August, British and Portuguese troops besieging San Sebastián defeat French occupying troops. The relieving troops lost all self-control and burnt down the city, in spite of the fact that the inhabitants were anti-French. Only the street at the foot of the hill (now called 31 August Street) remains.

Every August 31st the people turn off the lights of the street and hang white candles from their balconies to commemorate the event.

This week I have a very long to-do list. The most important thing on the list is to find a place to live for the fall. I want to live with Basque-speaking students so I can keep practicing the language.

I also plan to enjoy the beach and hang out with some friends. On Wednesday I will finally get to see Aitor at work. Since the season of Goenkale ended he is directing a new TV series called, Go!azen.