Day 46 – San Sebastián (1 of 3…)
Beach at San Sebastián
San Sebastián is like Miami FL, built for tourists. (That’s not exactly true. More on this tomorrow)
San Sebastián wasn’t my first choice but when I gave up trying to find the Camino track into Bilbao, I left all of todays logistics until this morning. As mentioned before, the Spanish bus system is clean, efficient, on-time, and not for the language-challenged.
I wrestled for several hours using several sources of information in 3 languages (none in English). I finally found a bus in the general direction that I was headed and was scheduled to leave in 15 minutes. I bought the last seat for 12€ and hopped on. One and a half hours later I stepped off 2 blocks from the San Sebastián beach.
Being Friday there were zero budget accommodation options available via Bookings.com. I ended up in a 60€/night pension in Astigarraga, a remote suburb accessible by public transit.
Old warehouse on a depleted stream in Astigarraga
Astigarraga is row upon row of modern apartments shoehorned into a worn down light industrial town. It has the feeling of a town that won the EU urban re-development lottery and had to spend the money immediately.
Giant cider barrel in Astigarraga
Astigarraga was known for its fruit cider but this giant barrel in a major traffic circle is the only public testament to this heritage now.
Sign on bridge over a stream in Astigarraga
Google translates this sign from Basque as:
“FISHING WITHOUT A DEAD SPACE. Fishing Line without Death”
It might mean “catch and release”
A 12th century church in Astigarraga
On a hill above the town is this stone church originally built in the 12th century.
Coat of arms over church door in Astigarraga
The coat of arms depicts the lineage of the family Murgia, the historical patrons of the church. It’s interesting that it sports a knights helmet. I only found sketchy info on this specific church. The Knights Templar played a significant role in building churches in this region but anything more is just speculation.
Tomorrow I explore San Sebastián and look for closer and cheaper accommodations.
Buen Camino,
– jgp
