Bilbao
					Bilbao Pictures
	Bilbao is about 2 hours by bus from San Sebastian.  I arrived there on a holiday (not sure which, they seem to always be having some holiday at least once every couple weeks) and everything was shut down.  It was quite a contrast from San Sebas and a little depressing.  Bilbao is pretty industrial and seemed to me to just be a smaller and less interesting Madrid.   I came to Bilbao for only one reason and that was to see the Guggenheim Museum.  I remember seeing a picture of the Guggenheim museum in art history in college and being completely fascinated with it.  I remember staring at that picture and telling myself that I would have to visit there someday.  I admit I had chills as I walked up the river to the museum.  It is really unbelieveable and no picture could ever do it justice.  By God, I tried though...It is absolutely beautiful.  I think that seeing it in a book you could really come to think of it is an ugly building, but in person I donLt see how anyone could see it as short of amazing.. It has a shiny titanum exterior that reflects off the water of the river and itLs own reflective pool.  It was designed by Gehry (American) with the thought of a ship or a fish in mind and that really is the feeling that the structure conjures up inside and out.  Check out the pictures!  The art inside the museum I wasnLt that impressed with.  There was a big Koons exhibit (Think metallic rabbit) which I wasnLt that excited about, and the usual modern exhibit was replaced by an entire floor (of 3) of Calder.  I think Calder is okay, but a whole floor was way too much.  Pretty boring. It was worth it just to see the outside of the building.  Really incredible, even if you arenLt into arcitecture.  I would highly highly recommend it. That night I went to a bar that I picked out of Lonely Planet and was admittedly feeling a little isolated.  Not only were there no Americans in Bilbao, but I didnLt hear anyone who spoke any English.  At the bar I noticed a couple of women come in, one who was a dead ringer for Nicole Kidman.  I thought they may be American and may know English, so I tried to strike up a conversation.  "What do you guys think is the best way to get to Portugal from Bilbao?"  I know, seems like a weak-ass pickup line, but I did kind of need their help.  I ended up staying an extra day in Bilbao and hung out with these two girls (Katy and Hanna) and they were a blast.  "Brilliant" as they would say.  I may join Katy in a villa in France with some of her friends at the end of the month.  Taking a bus out to Lisbon tomorrow and not looking forward to it.  13 hour bus ride.  Trains booked and flights are very expensive.
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