Cloudy morning, caught the no. 58 bus €1.30 each for half an hour ride down to the Old Town. The sky cleared and turned into a lovely day. We walked to the other side of the river which seemed to curl around the many bends past a little market with various tasty offerings, then on to the Tourist Information Center.
A very pleasant 20 minute walk along the river, we came to the glass bottom pedestrian bridge which they had to cover with matting as too many people slipped and were injured.
Then the creative sculpture like building of the Guggenheim museum, lots of sculptures around the outside including a giant dog covered in fresh flowers.
There was a cafe overlooking the building, the river and a large children's play area. We had a very nice coffee and slices of 2 different fresh cakes .
We got senior concessions into the Guggenheim €7.50 each incl audio guide. We were told no photos so put device in the back pack in the lock up, good security, bags got scanned and put in locker . But saw lots for people taking photos.
Three floors of open spaces, a huge sculpture of curved, sloping Steel freestanding with spaces between, narrow or large to walk through representing waves occupied a large area on the ground floor, very impressive to give the perspective of space.
Upstairs via a glass elevator there was an exhibit by Henri Michaux who said he was inspired to create these pieces while in a drug induced hallucinogenic state. Say no more.
Another room displayed a large canvas painted completely black, another even larger half orange and the other half red.
The Abstract Art in here was beyond my limited understanding.
Other exhibits and displays were thought provoking and in keeping with the Guggenheim modern theme.
We were both feeling sore after all our walking so decided to catch the trams back to the old city. A very friendly, helpful woman came and helped us with the ticket machine €1.50 for both of us. Very clean, quite way to travel.
Back in the narrow streets of the original 7 in the old city we found a few places with Pintxos, we selected 4 samples to share with 2 different Basque craft beers, all of which were very tasty. First plate was seafood filled cannaloni, next a mix of squid, baby octopus, potatoes with caramelised onions and a black pancake filled with veges mouse. Next up was a thick round of beef in sauce with a few chips unfortunately it was only seared on the outside and raw in the middle....no blood though which was a good thing, but a bit too rare for our taste. Lastly a vege wrap with asparagus, aubergine, capsicums and other mix vege with a 3 cheese ball and sweet chilli sauce.
After eating and drinking our local delicacies we walked to the Cathedral of Santiago on the way was a frozen yoghurt shop so bought our desert, Tony in a cone mine in a cup with honey glazed walnuts. On arrival at the Cathedral The Guarda were there with 3 armed officers. Got talking to them, one spoke excellent English he was very interested in our trip and was pleased to here we were let off the ticket for a warning in Slovinia. He said that here in Basque country and Catalonia it is like Wales and Scotland in UK, separate but not independent.
It was nearly 5pm now and decided the €5 each to go inside the Cathedral at this time we couldn't do it justice, so looked around the outside and walked back to the bus. Stopped in Carrefour for a few provisions, Jameson was €13.60. Back on the bus home at 7pm still light with clocks going forward. A long but enjoyable day.
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