Recently

I have been busy as of late. With only a little more than three weeks here, I am trying to enjoy the little time I have remaining, as well as finish the load of papers I have due in the coming weeks. Recently, I went to Pais Vasco (northern Spain) and visited Bilbao and San Sebastian. I also went to a bullfight; it was a unique experience to say the least. I loved the tradition involved in such an event as well as the skill of luring and evading a charging bull. Still, a weird and an uncomfortable experience to watch a team of men slowly tire, weaken, and eventually kill six different bulls (3 toreros X 2 bulls each the day we went). Below are some recent photos--the pictures of the bullfight are basically in order how each bull meets its plight:

Hola!

orderly procession

ole!

bull charges horse; guy on horse incessantly stabs

what I like to call "the praying mantis"

showdown.

next...

City of Wine in the town El Ciego

*building made by Gehry (i.e. same guy who designed the Bilbao Guggenheim)

Church @ El Ciego

Bilbao

Guggenheim (Bilbao)

*I dislike the majority of modern art. In many rooms, I found myself walking around and repeating the line, "Crap." at the majority of the so-called art. Maybe, like the Mona Lisa, I just do not understand. It is entirely possible. Either way, I found some 19th and 20th century American paintings in a few rooms that I liked a lot.

sitra (i.e. cider)

*found everywhere in Basque restaurants

San Sebastian

water

gray

No time for adding more pictures or text. I need to seize the little time I have left. You get the idea here...and that will have to be sufficient for now.