It's our first rainy day on the trip, so we decide on an indoor activity...to the aquarium! It's Sunday morning and most people are still sleeping as we walk through Parte Vieja. We pass Plaza de la Constitucion, which was once a bull ring. The numbers on the balconies refer to spectators spots.
The aquarium is at the base of Monte Urgull facing the bay. There are several floors and you work your way from top to bottom. The first section mainly talks about San Sebastian's maritime history. Then we get to see some marine life and a short section of underwater tunnel.
It's still raining outside. We see 2 kayakers out, even in the rough water. We decide to walk up Monte Urgull to the Jesus statue, eating our packed sandwiches along the way. The statue is in the middle of the Castle Mota.
I am loving this view and the changing mood of the weather. I am also loving my camera's panoramic function.
We head back down the hill for some more pintxos before heading back to the hostel for a rest. [Monkey Face was the 3rd companion on our trip. He's a little money pouch that held our "kitty" aka. communal funds for the trip, which we used on bus tickets and food. A silent, yet noble companion.]
For dinner, Sophia is armed with a list of pintxos bar suggestions and the names of items we might try. The first place we try is Bar Astelena, pintxos with an asian influence. They have some of the fanciest pintxos we've seen. Some items are still raw on the counter and they take them to the back to cook after you order. I have asparagus with monkfish in a wonton wrap and Sophia tries the foie gras and mushroom wrap. We share some baby squid with garlic, and a grilled pork skewer. The food comes back all decorated on individual plates and everything is delicious!
The 2nd place we try is La Mejillonera, known for its mussels and patatas bravas. As Astelena's was sophisticated and refined, La Mejillonera is a no-nonsense, gritty and very crowded, mom & pop type bar. There's a trough of mussel shells lining the bottom of the bar, but chucking garbage on the floor is typical of all pintxos bars. We park ourselves at the end of the bar and a kind waitress patiently listens to my mangled spanish ordering and immediately yells it back to the cook.
Patatas Bravas is potatoes with mayonnaise and a spicy ketchup sauce. The food comes with a big basket of bread for dipping at all the delicious sauces. It might look like a mess, but it was very tasty. We end the night looking for chocolate and churros, but the cafe we passed was already closed for the night. That's ok, more opportunities later. It's been a good day of eating.
