Chillida and Igueldo

Our last day was spent at the other end of the bay.  We saw San Sebastian's best known sculpture, Combs of the Wind, by Chillida.  Then we took a funicular up Igueldo Mountain to an old school amusement park.

Escape Street

After the boys took their exams, we headed out to try a new activity.  It was an escape room but out on the streets.  It was well designed and the boys were able to use their interpretive skills as a tablet gave them points on a map and clues to solve throughout the city.  The timing was off, however, as it lasted much longer than planned and the boys had to delay lunch much later than anticipated.

Luke's homestay family dressed him up in traditional tamborrada gear.

Gastro Society

The region we are in has a unique feature where men join a club, but instead of golfing they cook and eat together.  For a long time only men were allowed in the building, but now women are allowed in, but not in the kitchen.  We are fortunate to have an in at on of these societies and the boys get to partake in a night of cooking and eating.

Basque sports

Today's afternoon class was about Basque sports, which range from rural contest like lifting rocks to ball sports, such as Jai alai.

Gernika and San Juan Gaztelugatxe

Today we visited Gernika, a small city that was the center of Basque culture at the time of the civil war and thus bombed by Germans and Italians with the invitation from Franco.  This was the inspiration for Picasso's famous mural.  We visited the old tree where the Basques dealt with their old law system as well as a museum dedicated to peace.  We then went to one of Europe's most beautufull sites, Gaztelugatxe, to climb up the the hermitage, yet another Game of throne setting.

Tolosa

Our tour through Tolosa included their Saturday market, tasting their well known pastries and cheeses.  We had a steak lunch at the revered Casa Julian and then we went through the thoroughly unique puppet museum.

Jai Alai

Our afternoon activity today was at the city's ball court where the basque game jai alai is played.  The boys heard an explanation of the evolution of the game as well as a chance to see to professionals play as the coach explained the rules.  Then they got to try it out and see how hard it is to throw the ball.