We started off in the coastal town of Santander, where we enjoyed a boat tour around the peninsula with nice views of the regional palace (now a university), beaches and lighthouse. Then it was off to Bilbao, about an hour's drive north for lunch and the museum. The museum was fantastico, especially the featured David Hockney landscape exhibition. I am now a huge Hockney landscape fan! Wish I could afford an original...Chuck, can you get a night job? Haha!
Drove back into Cantabria and stopped for an evening aperitif in Castro Urdiales, another nice beach town, featuring a really creepy fish sliding board (see pictures).
We then took off for the town of San Vicente de la Barquera, where Marian took us to her father's favorite restaurant for lobster and rice. Liz was obsessed over one huge lobster in the tank, suggesting that we buy it and free it in the ocean. The Common Fund said no.
So let me explain about The Common Fund. It is the greatest invention ever for traveling with friends! I had never used this system before, but Marian does this all the time: everyone pitches in the same amount of money toward The Common Fund per day, say $50. Then, whenever you encounter an expense for the group, say meals, gas for the car, hotels, you pay from The Common Fund and don't waste time or worries trying to figure out what each individual owes. So easy! And, in the end, you figure everything evens out for each person. Of course, souvenirs are purchased individually and other personal items. Anyway, we had a great time asking The Common Fund to pay for things. Does The Common Fund say yes? Yay! El Fundo de Common says yes! Good system, and I approve of the way our Director of the Common Fund handled the money. Muy bien, Marian!
I also would like to take this time to congratulate Katherine Zwingli on her outstanding long-distance "whee-ing" performance on this trip. Yesterday, she got the gold medal in the 2,000 Meter Whee Tunnel Event. Another gold for the Americans! USA! USA!
And before I forget, one of our favorite chants on this trip has been, "Yo soy Espanola, Espanola!" Jack started this on our first day of hiking the Camino. Two beers, and he was dancing behind the folk parade, singing this and it then went viral for the rest of the trip. When we were really having fun, someone would start singing that line and the rest of us would all join in.
Tomorrow is our last day in Cantabria, sniff, sniff. Buenos noches!
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