| Along the Port area and near the Aquarium and Bar District. |
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| Glenn's San Sebastian Journals 06-18-02 (Continued) Once we were out the first thing on our minds was FOOD!!! We stopped into a few bars (looking for tapas) but it was just after 3:00 pm. (food is served from noon until 2:30 pm or so and then not again until 6:30 pm or later), but the lady at the bar mentioned a burger joint a few blocks away. That would work. We checked out an internet cafe on the way there but finally found our way to the burger joint. The burgers were really pretty good and sufficed for our afternoon snack. We then spent time walking along the beach front before heading into the shopping district. This is where we learned of the general strike in Spain over the next few days. One of the shop owners was nice enough to let us know that nothing would be open tomorow (Wednesday) and that only a few things would be open on Thursday. We knew this could mean many different things as the strikes in Italy, even though planned for certain days, could last all day or only a few hours during that day before life went back to normal. We stopped by Information to get more information about the town but also ask about the strike. They were as unsure of what it meant to businesses and activities as we were. We ran off to find a grocery store. We did not want to be without food for a few days (just in case) so we bought some basic necessities. After our food purchase we returned home to drop our things off and relax before dinner (It was only 8:00 pm so it was too early for dinner, even we know that!!!). While relaxing with our door open we met the young American ladies (from Florida) that were staying down the hall. We chatted about our travels and shared a few stories. They were very nice and had just gotten in today as well. We mentioned the strike so they headed back out to get some groceries for themselves. By now it was 9:30 pm ad we were ready for dinner. Upon getting ready for dinner Erin heard someone struggling to get into the hostal. She encountered a young lady (we would later find out from New Zealand) that was staying in the room next to ours. She was having multiple troubles during her current visit to Spain and Portugal, not the least of which was her trouble in obtaining money from the ATM machines (It seems her card would not work in the machines but worked fine when she charged things). At this point she mentioned that she was totally out of money and with the impending strike she did not know what to do. So, we invited her to dinner and let her charge it while we provided her the cash for our portion. Our ATM cards had been working fine this whole trip. We had dinner around the corner at a Chinese restaurant enjoying the Chinese salad, won ton soup, fried rice, and chicken with mushrooms. A little wine with that and we were all set. Dinner conversation was a little more on the negative side than I preferred so I tweaked Erin under the table to depart. After dinner I had a phone call to make as I had not realized that last Sunday was Father's Day (I thought it was this Sunday) so we found a pay phone and called home. It was midnight here but 6:00 pm there so a good chance to find them home for dinner. I spoke with my mom for a while but dad was not home at the time. Mom was glad to hear my voice and said she would pass on to dad that I had called, even though a few days late. After the phone call we returned to our room and read before falling alseep to the peace and quiet surroundings. We even had the balcony door open and the coolness of the night (it's only 18 degrees C at night here) enter our room. We slept very well!! |