Visiting Spain: A prelude
20 years and a few generations in the making….
My maiden name is of Spanish origin. Many generations ago my ancestors migrated from Spain to Mexico and then to California.
FUN FACT:
Did you know that in Biblical times, Spain was considered the end of the world? Back then, Spain was called Tarshish and for Paul, Spain was about the gospel being fulfilled. There was no other option but to bring the Message to Tarshish to complete his mission (see Isaiah 66:19, Acts 13:46-47).
My mission is much less important but like Paul, I needed to reach Spain at some point in my life.The trip came into consciousness about 20 years ago when my older brother worked at Erna’s Elderberry House at Château du Sureau (a Relais Châteaux located near Yosemite, in our hometown). Erna’s is renowned and It draws people from all over the world, including high profile guests and culinary professionals.
This is where my brother met what our family fondly calls “The Spaniards”. A group of 20 something year old guys who were professional chefs and avid outdoorsmen. The Spaniards ended up camping out at my brother’s house in the backyard for a few months after their employment at Erna’s ended. We adored them, particularly my mom. She thought they were a hoot and they took her rock climbing at one point so she could feel the thrill of adventure.
The friendship with one Spaniard in particular remained a strong bond decades later and my brother had mentioned on more than one occasion how much he wanted to go visit Jauma a.k.a., Jaimé (our friend) in Spain someday. My older brother is like me in that he loves to travel and explore.
My mom, climbing with the Spaniards on belay. She loved adventure. She once climbed Half Dome in Yosemite and spent the night at the summit.
A 40th birthday surprise!
My brother’s 40th birthday was approaching and my sister-in-law mentioned she wanted to give him a great gift but didn’t know what. I told her “Send him to Spain. No, seriously, send him!” It was June, his birthday is in July and I told her if she booked a trip for the fall, she would have a few months to save up for it. She laughed, thinking this was probably not possible but that little seed of suggestion grew and before you know it, she and I were in full surprise trip planning mode.
And then….
I can’t remember who suggested it but we thought it would be amazing if we could do a sibling’s trip. I had to float this by my husband and get our younger brother on board (he surprisingly said “I’m in!”). My sister-in-law got in touch with my brother’s boss who graciously approved time off for this surprise. From there, I booked flights for September and it was game on! We would end up in Spain during my younger brother’s birthday as well so it was a double whammy!
We gathered on my brother’s birthday… he was clueless as to what was about to happen.
I made this little booklet that was the hint for what was to come. It was disguised as a birthday card (it was actually a small novel by the time I was finished with it lol). It started with our family origins and fun facts about Spain. As he flipped through the pages, it started to reveal the plan. He was confused appropriately and then he reached the page where it said “We are going to Spain!”, he was dizzy with disbelief.
The last page in the booklet instructed him not to pass out (I know my brother and this surprise is pretty overwhelming) and afterwards, we toasted with some Spanish champagne I had picked up for the big reveal.
It was finally happening… The Preciado’s were heading to Spain!
On this trip I am taking you to Barcelona and San Sebastián in the Basque region of Spain.
Information you will find/ places we will visit in the Spain Series of my travel Journal:
La Sagrada Familia
Park Güell
Montserrat
The Flysh Geopark in the Basque region
The Picasso Museum
Various neighborhoods in BCN
THE restaurant you need to dine at while you are in the Basqueland.
A fantastic brewery
Hernani
A snippet on the ETA and the prisoners convicted of terrorism ( I ended up getting my hands on a flag from the resistance in northern Spain, collected clandestinely which is an interesting story and thinking back on it, I’m glad I didn’t get arrested at the airport lol).
The Basque History Museum
Hernani
Goizueta ( a tiny and old village)
Monte Igueldo in San Sebstian
A few great shops to check out for art and unique gifts
Basically, a lot of interesting things to see and places to visit!
Grab a café con leché and your Espadrilles…. we are hopping on a plane, avoiding a hurricane (literally) and heading out! Let’s go!!!!!!!!!!