My Visit to San Sebastián
Week 1 Heading link
Madison M. Preiser, BSN Student
Have you ever visited a place that was so unique that you instantly fell in love?
Let’s start with the bus ride there! It was about an hour long, and the whole ride there had beautiful scenery. I never realized there were mountains and valleys in Spain. I had always thought it was pretty flat, but the layout of land here is beautiful. We saw quaint little towns, so many farm animals, and more.
Upon arrival, we crossed over the Maria Cristina Bridge, which had white sculptures with golden statues on top. I decided to look further into these statues because I was amazed by the detail and colors. These sculptures were created and inspired by the 4 pillars of the Pont Alexandre III in Paris. On these statues, there was a shield that said “Por fidelidad nobleza lealtad ganadas.” This means “For fidelity, nobility, and loyalty earned.” This has been the shield since 1682. The shield represents the city’s dedication to maritime trade and the strong population it has.
Throughout the few hours that we were there, I enjoyed seeing the many different types of the landscaping and the overall way the city is decorated, such as the unique lamp posts seen in this picture. The architecture gives you a real insight into the history and culture of the town. It is a great reflection of the Basque culture and its longevity.
Then, we visited my favorite place of all: THE BEACH!!! I specifically loved this beach called La Concha. It is very unique and very iconic to San Sebastián. When going to other beaches, I am so used to just seeing the ocean out in the distance, but this beach was different. In the background, you can see hills with houses and other buildings. Not pictured here is an amazing view of the city, which this beach also offers. After further research, I have found out that it is the second top city beach in the world, which I am shocked by. Before going on this trip, I have never heard of San Sebastián, let alone La Concha beach. I got so many great pictures that I just had to show another one below!!
I don’t think I have realized how many things there are to explore in the world and how beautiful Earth is until seeing San Sebastián. It is such a beautiful city and it just really made me take a step back and realize how precious life is and all it has to offer.
Next, obviously we had to get some food, since San Sebastián is most famous for that, specifically their Basque Cuisine. In this picture we were eating pintxos (pronounced pin-chos), small snacks that are mainly eaten in northern Spain. I had not even heard of this type of snack before coming to Spain. Also pictured is the Basque cheesecake, which I was recommended to try. It was absolutely amazing. It tasted like a flan and cheesecake combination. This cheesecake is so famous that people would line up outside of a restaurant in the Basque region in the 1990s just to get a slice of the cheesecake. Many people nowadays recreate it at home!
On our way back to the bus, we walked through the streets of San Sebastián. This was a great spot for pictures, so we took many. The buildings look so pretty, especially with the balconies hanging off. I think it would be so cool to live in an area like that. We all wish we had more time there, since it was such a cute city. I will definitely be going back to San Sebastián when I come to Spain next!! Overall, going to San Sebastián has made me realize that there are so many places in the world that are hidden gems. I personally feel that not a lot of people know about San Sebastián and all its history and beauty. I am so glad I was given the opportunity to go and it makes me want to continue discovering other small hidden cities like this one.
Madison Preiser is a UIC Bachelor of Science in Nursing student who will be graduating in May 2024. She hopes to become an ER nurse and continue traveling all around the world.