TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY - BILBAO, SPAIN

We spent most of this morning travelling from Madrid to Bilbao, making a stop at the small town of Burgos.

Apparently, this town is arougn 1500 years old, though I really couldn't see many old buildings during my walk around. Our main focus was the cathedral but, as you had to pay to get into the main part of the church, we went into the free part at the back of the church. Didn't manage to see much and no photography was allowed.

Took plenty of photos from the outside then went for a walk down one of the streets branching our from the cathedral. I took a right turn down a small street that lead me to a large square where, in one corner, protestors had set up camp. Not as many as in Madrid though.

This square lead to another, much smaller square with colourful buildings and, as it was a Saturday, not many shops opened.

While walking back to the cathedral and looking for a place to eat, I heard someone calling my name and found it came from Di (the Aussie one) calling me over to join them for lunch. There was Dave and his wife Sally, Les and his wife Sue and Di. I had a delicious Bocadilla (large roll) with chicken breast, tomato and cheese - fresh bread and fresh ingredients. When Di saw what I ordered she imediately said "I should've ordered that", as her toasted sandwich didn't quite taste right - she ordered a non-toasted cheese and ham sandwich and got a toasted ham sandwich with no cheese and ham that tasted funny. That's what happens when you can't read the menu - apparently, not even the English part.

It was here that they commented how differently I got treated compared to them. In Spain, if you can speak their language, they treat you rather well. Of course, being polite and saying your "Please" and "Thank you" also help. Once I'd arrived, the group relied on my to help them order more beer and ask where the bathroom was. God only knows what had happened before I arrived.

When I was paying for my lunch, the elderly waiter asked me were we were off to. I informed him that we were off to Bilbao and he replied "Ah, there are great roads that way" and wished us a "Bien viaje" - a good journey.

Then, back on the bus to Bilbao and the Guggenheim museum.

If it wasn't for this museum, I don't think the city would even be known to exist - unless you are a Spanish League soccer fan.

We stopped at our hotel for about 30 minutes to receive our room keys and put our carry-on luggage away. Then we were off to the museum.

The building itself was designed by architect Frank Gehry and is quite an impressive structure. The outside represents fish scales - made from titanium sheeting.

The inside holds many exhibits of modern art - both permanent and temporary exhibits.

Part of an outside sculpture

Our local guide lead us to the first permanent exhibit by Richard Serra called "The Matter of Time". this is the only exhibit that you could actually walk through the sculptures. The sculptures are giant sheets of 45mm steel curved and balanced without being welded together and without being glued to the floor. You get a really strange feeling as you walk through this structure - the sheets weave in and out in smooth lines from the floor to the top.

This was everyone's favourite out of the whole museum. We all had the same opinion - modern art is not for us. Call me old fashion but I am partial to Michaelangelo's "David" than to the modern art showing at the museum.



Flower Puppy



Back of Flower Puppy



After our tour inside, we had free time so I went outside and took photos of Jeff Koons' "Flower Puppy" that is near the front entrance. It is a giant structure of a Scotty dog, all done with different flowers (see picture). The flowers change according to the season.



Then, I was off to the other side and took various photos of the outside of the building.



Then, off to the bus and the hotel.



We had a couple of hours before dinner and I spent it resting. I've come to the point of this trip where I'm exhausted. I'm looking forward to going home but not to the loooong flight.



At dinner time, I learned that Brenda's husband Greg had taken ill and was in hospital. Now, I'm going to sound cruel but I just didn't care. Brenda's a woman that has said nasty stuff to me twice, pushed and shoved me out of the way so she could take a picture and has deliberatly walked in front of me in the middle of a photo shot just to get back at me - her words.

She went to say something nasty to me for the third time and I just told her to "Leave me alone". She looked shocked and asked "Pardon?" so I repeated what I'd said and took myself off far away before what was really on my mind came out of my mouth. I avoid her like the plague wherever possible.

Today, at the Guggenheim big bags and back-packs are not allowed inside. Greg, Brenda's hubby, went to the cloakroom to check in his gigantic camera that he has. His camera is like the ones that news cameramen use - gigantic things. Anyway, as no one was there he packed his bag and went to go inside the museum. The lady at the door immediately told him that he couldn't take it inside and that's when the heated argument started.

Apparently, Brenda was rather embarrased and left him there arguing with the woman while the rest of the group went inside.

What goes around... Karma can be a real bitch!

Tomorrow, it's back to France and off to Bordeaux.

I can't believe my holiday is almost over :(