Leaving Bilbao.
I will miss pedestrian access. I will not miss the five flights of stairs to my flat.
I will miss the view from deep inside this valley. I will not miss waiting til’ almost 9am for the sun to come around.
I will miss convenient, inexpensive public transportation. I will not miss making my way through a sea of umbrellas on my way to the train.
Really, it was pretty tough to come up with those things I’m not gonna miss.
The truth is that the daily routine of this city, the beautiful nature and architecture will have me forever thinking in where U.S. cities fall short in comparison. Most of what I am a dreadful to leave is the convenience of EVERYTHING being just around the corner and typically of better quality.
You can walk anywhere in Bilbao in about 40 minutes but within 10 mins walking from my flat there is:
the train station, the busses, and the other train station (all take you out of town), the metro, at least 7 markets, the river, 5 or more tattoo shops, bakeries (bread here kicks USA bread’s ass), bikes to rent (15€ for a YEAR), lanes to ride them in, and a beautiful park that used to be a bunch of yucky factories! —There is also a bunch of other stuff that I am not into, i.e. shopping, booze, butchers etc.—
I whole heartedly recommend a visit to Bilbao/Euskal Herria.
I leave on Saturday and am hopeful to return here when the time is right, but mostly I am excited to see everyone back in the states, it will be wonderful to not miss all of you very much longer. :)
Love,
Megan Marie
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