All posts tagged: donostia

Old Stomping Grounds | Vagabrothers visit San Sebastian

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The Vagabrothers (who can you follow here, here, and here!) had a recent stop in their old stomping grounds of Donostia-San Sebastian. Guided by Food Blogger Marti Kilpatrick and Eli Susperregui of San Sebastian Food, the Vagabrothers headed around the city for some of the best pintxo’s to be experienced when visiting this Basque city. For those of you who don’t know, I spent the past year and a half living in the Cultural + Food capital of the Basque Country: Donostia-San Sebastian in the North of Spain. While technically a part of Spain, the culture and people of the Basque Country are quite unique. Having the oldest language known in Europe (with unknown roots), they continue to carry on these traditions of language, food and festivals. I ate some of the best food I’ve ever eaten in my life in this little city/big town and even though I no longer call it my home, I’m proud to have spent some time here and learn about & share the culture with the Basque people. Take a peek at …

The Local Lowdown | Amaia on Zarautz

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Amaia San Jose-Lunney, 27, grew up in a small Basque town, just a hop skip and a jump over the mountain Igueldo from Donostia-San Sebastian. Although Amaia now resides in Donostia and has lived all over the globe, she will always call Zarautz her home. Her family, her people, and her culture have always been attached to her.   She feels so attached that she and her Australian husband now have made it their business to share her culture with visitors. “Basque people are really kind and they will always help you,” she says. “Any visitor that comes to (visit) should learn about the culture and try to get to know the locals.” You can check out her company’s website To Be Basque for more information of getting the full local experience if you ever visit the Basque Country. Amaia’s top 10 favorite spots in Zarautz & Donostia-San Sebastian – 1. The Walking Path: (Running) along the ocean that goes from Zarautz to Getaria (3.5km) , it is really relaxing for me to walk along the …

PEOPLE | An Interview with Beltza

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“Ah, of course! I forgot seitan! Traditional seitan that we make ourselves. It’s wheat gluten,” said Beltza – owner of Tedone Jatetxea in the neighborhood of Gros, Donostia-San Sebastian – after listing off five ingredients you’ll always find in the kitchen at his restaurant. The other ingredients they always have on hand include: biological vegetables; red, integral rice; tofu; fish; and miso – which makes Tedone the hidden gem that it is in this small northern Basque city. Tedone Jatetxea came into the hands of Beltza seven years ago which he uses as his outlet to promote healthy and sustainable eating. “I spent several years messing around in the world of food, but especially in macrobiotics. Because of that I wanted to put together something that had a little to do with food and macrobiotics,” explained Beltza. “But not entirely because it’s complicated, it’s a philosophy, but considering that we are what we eat, we wanted to try a restaurant to make this concept go a little further, not only thinking about the food but …

privilege

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What is privilege? It’s simple. It’s a benefit of one person enjoyed beyond the advantages of most. There are many kinds of privileges in the world. Whether its based on skin color or how much money you have — people in certain categories: white or rich — tend to benefit over others in the world we live in. But I’m here to bring you another one: the privilege of being a native English speaker. I’ve come to Spain to work. I’ve chosen one of the most economically unstable countries a part of the European Union to live and to work while creating a little more stability for myself in my own life. I have, however, caused somewhat of a stir. But, hey, not just me — all native speakers who come to Spain to teach English. Let’s look at it this way: Spain’s youth unemployment rate is over 50%. I’m 25 years old and have come to this country and while only working part time I’m still working more than most people here. I’m “taking” …

a concert in heaven

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It was a concert in heaven. The skies were hidden by a thick layer of clouds as the city lights flickered below contrasting the dreariness of the evening. We wandered from amusement park attractions to food stands looking for cover from the rain as it poured from above. The music sifted through the heavy fog that lay just lightly above the group of people huddled in front of the stage. The musicians protected from the rain performed with soul and energy that kept the crowds warm despite the winds.   This was Kutxa Kultural Festibal 2013 | Monte Igueldo.  

| when it starts to fade |

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When does it happen? When do the beautiful new sites of towns and farms and city neighborhoods start blending into the background? When do we stop holding onto the edge of our seats with eyes wide open and start simply passing by with a blank stare? It occurred to me today while taking the bus to a small town today. My eyes were peeled — I was taking in all my surroundings from factories to quaint little town centers — while the woman next to me closed her eyes and slept until her stop. Of course, every person carries a different story: a long day, hardly any sleep the night before, a million things on their mind and just wanting to let go. It’s besides the point. I hope to never fall into that trap. I hope to always find surprises around every corner in my part of the world whether happy, sad, tired, or mad. I hope to appreciate the small moments alone or with friends — on the bus or walking through my barrio.

| just call the germans & tell them a lie |

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The title of this post may lead you to believe I want to write about god knows what — however, this post is about music. And no, I have nothing against Germans. Being surrounded by music is something that I’ll always look for in my life. I can’t imagine my life without it. Even though I play around with the guitar a little bit, it’ll never be like hearing truly talented musicians play. I was lucky to have grown up in a home that always had music on the radio, a CD playing, or melodies pouring from my brothers bedroom from one of the few instruments he plays. Then when I went to college I surrounded myself with talented friends who could play the guitar, sing, and simply had a love of performing. And now again, my life here in San Sebastian, I have found myself in the midst of artists from around Europe. I couldn’t imagine spending my Sunday evening any other way – glasses of wine, freshly baked cookies, and good friends sitting around and making …

| christmas day & the power of a wave |

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It’s January 7th and today the academic world returned to their schedules of early morning alarms, coffees, and the notebooks. Myself included as student and teacher. During my lesson this evening I started with a game. Two truths and a lie about what we did during out winter vacations. Mine were as followed: 1) I went surfing Christmas morning 2) I taught myself how to make the Spanish tortilla and 3) I went to the Canary Islands for four days. As much as I would love to have had number two be the lie, unfortunately it was number three. I’m still pale as a ghost and look like I havent seen the sunlight in about four months … oh wait, welcome to winter in San Sebastian! I kid, I kid. But really — I stayed in my beautiful city during my two week vacation and, despite the terrifyingly large waves pounding on Zurriola, Mother Nature sent some choppy 4footers my way. So I paddled out on Christmas day. It was rough. I realized after almost …