Madrid was our first entrance into Spain and it was only brief as we were on our way to Portugal. Many people have explained that there really isn't anything special to this city for those backpacking as it is purely a transit city and right they are. Two nights was more than enough and adequate to absorb the touristy encounter. We completed our own walking tour and were in awe over the beautiful architecture, coming straight from Morocco though anything was good at that moment. Next we delved into what Spanish cuisine had to offer. I'm not sure if it was the restaurants we chose but the food really did not seem 'traditional' nor 'authentic' yet the paella was our top choice here.
It was in this city that we also picked up what would eventually become our best asset- Natalie Herbut, making it an even four to our combo. We just so happened to have also created the perfect environment for the night, making it all the more enjoyable as we watched the Spain vs. Croatia Soccer match (Eurocup) and with Nat the Croatian it became all the more entertaining. We all joined in hoping that Croatia would win against the dominating Spain and make it to the Semi finals, also meaning that Nat's brother would fly over but Spain was just playing with them and gave Croatia false hope, letting them go into overtime and shattering all dreams. At least they put up a fight, making it an enjoyable game and surprising Toma that she was actually becoming interested in a sport she is withholding to admit that she is beginning to like.
Once back from Portugal we headed into San Sebastian enroute for the Bull Run. We really enjoyed our time here and ended up staying for just under a week, even fitting in a roadtrip to France. This was also the town where we begun to meet up with girls as well as my brother, Adam and Pete. We had some really great nights out here and once again got to watch the Eurocup. This time it was the Grand Final and Spain was in it, versing Italy- of course they won and the atmosphere went wild. The streets were filed with cheers and the bars were packed! The food here was also distinctly different. We had moved away from paella and just about every bar was lined with tapas. Whilst the food provided was very different and at time peculiar it was interesting to try different things and be full after only a few euro spent. The origins of tapas also entailed us and found this a very thoughtful idea, possibly something to be introduced to us rowdy Australians.
San Sebastian also had a beauty to it with a deceiving short hike for a fabulous view, two beaches creatively juxtaposed to cater for different needs (that we hardly swam in due to the ever-turning weather) and an excellent sunset that all but Toma missed out on, lighting up the town in such a spectacular way. For me, whilst San Sebastian was lovely I wouldn't go back however for Toma this was one of those places that captivated her heart and she felt that she had unfinished business there as we left.
Next stop, Pamplona! This is where the bull run went down and rather than double over and explain everything twice to read up on our experiences click here!
Off to Barcelona and we totally destroyed any hope of sightseeing as this was unintentionally used as our down time between and after the bull run and Ibiza. We could have done a self-guided driving tour, taken photos of ourselves at the stadium (the one thing my Uncle asked us to do and we failed), gone to see Sagarda Familia and explore the night life properly (the one night we went out it was at Apollo and it was...interesting in the least). We did however manage to go to the fresh food markets (delicious and so colourful!), the beach (a slight let down) and do a bit of shopping. Many people say that they absolutely LOVE Barcelona and I only hope I could have agreed with them but I haven't given up yet as I would like to go back, only this time feeling sober and right-minded so that I could play the tourist and enjoy what it has to offer.
Finally, Ibiza was our last stop off and once again instead of doubling over, our experience in Ibiza can be read about by clicking here!
So what is our verdict on Spain? It is lovely and each place we visited provided such different aspects of the Spanish culture yet there is also so much more of Spain for us to see such as the areas down south as well as Valencia (may even make it to the Tomato fest next year). I wouldn't say it is my favourite country and by this point we had spent almost 6 weeks in Western Europe. Our pockets are half full and we were ready for a whole new culture shock and flip side of Europe therefore we had run dry by the end of Spain, never wanting to see another paella or tapas for that matter. Bring on Serbia, Nat's jibberish talking and the self-induced food comas that we were about to enter.
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