I recently was able to visit my mother in Vitoria for the first time in three years. My excuses for not being home in so long were extensive. Four months travel in Asia and Europe, an eight-month Linguistics program in Canada, and returning to South Korea while committing to two consecutive contracts at an English Language academy.
Life as an English teacher afforded me few opportunities to travel for a longer period of time as travel time alone (twelve-hour direct flight from Seoul to Europe) ate up one vacation day each way. I was dying to see my family. I finally was granted three weeks away, and flew from Seoul Incheon to Rome, and from Rome, to visit my family in England. Next on my agenda was a visit to see my mother in the Basque Country of northern Spain.
I arrived in Santander, and there, my Basque friend Gaizka met me. We spent the day eating and exploring the Santander coastline. After driving south to Bilbao, I grabbed a La Union bus headed for my mother’s city, Vitoria, Gasteiz. There, I was met by my mother and uncle. I would spend the next eight days hanging out with her and members of the family.
Our days developed a routine almost immediately. Mama and I would wake around 10am, have breakfast and head out for a walk. We would meander the Calles Romanas (Roman Streets) and would usually end up in a café terrace, often near calle Dato or the Plaza Virgen Blanca and have a refreshing mosto (grape juice with an olive) or a small coffee. Sometimes, if the café had wifi, I would connect with my boyfriend back in Korea.
Mama and I would leave downtown and head home around 2pm, stopping at the Eroski supermarket, and there we grabbed whatever we felt like making for lunch. We’d cook together. I’d be mama’s assistant, and then we’d eat around 3:30pm. Thereafter, we’d both enjoy take a siesta (nap) and then wake around 6pm.
If we were going to meet with family, it was usually in the evening. On several occasions, we met with tio (uncle) Jose, tia (aunty) Ana and tia Mari. These often included walks through Florida Parkea, or drinks and conversation on a restaurant terrace.
See the video below taken just by La Plaza de la Virgen Blanca
Mama and I stumbled across a lot of street art, particularly in the older area of el Casco Viejo, the old quarter of Vitoria. We’d take photos of each other, and often, I’d help mama position the camera optimally, and make good use of the vibrant designs made by street artists. Sometimes, we simply found a neat mural and just started clicking away.
We seemed to get carried away with all the beautiful photo opportunities, and soon, every other street became our photography studio!
We also wandered into shops. I really liked Tribal Gasteiz which brought S.E. Asian, Indian and Napalese fashion to the locals. The friendly owner explained that she travels to Asia every year to scout out items for her shop. I bought very little while in Spain. We seriously mostly ate, slept, and wandered in search of light adventures. It was bliss. I have never appreciated such a sedentary schedule up until now.
Thank you for reading this article. It means a lot to me.
Have you visited Spain? Care to share a special experience that you enjoyed there?
Natasha Banky is author of Keto Brunches and Attract and Retain a Fulfilling Relationship.
CONNECT WITH NATASHA:
See other articles by Natasha
4 Reasons Why You Should Travel
Street Food and Restaurant Cuisine in Moalboal and Cebu City, Philippines
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.
I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
I will definitely return. https://narrowdietgarcinia.net/
Great!
Victoria seems very interesting place for me!
Mix well modern and traditional ;
Street paintings represent modern, the plaza and roman street still remain from tradition. Very very interesting.
Anyway, I love the way you spent days in Victoria. It’s a dreamy life!
Oh, how much I miss place with peace and relaxation…!
What a wonderful trip visiting family and spending lovely days with your Mama. I love how your Mama is such a good sport and took photos with you. The photos turned out really well 🙂
My mum is an awesome sport. I loved spending this time with her. And yes, she’s a photographer in the making! Thank you for your comment.
Vitoria looks so beautiful! I missed it this time but that gives me more reason to return to basque country!
Definitely. The Basque country is a location I have to return to. Family wait for me there… so…. 🙂