Euskal Herria (Basque Country)

It has taken me a week to actually find the time and mental capacity to sit down and write this post about last weekend. This week all the international students at the university started French classes, which are everyday for 4 hours split into morning and afternoon blocks. My head has been a little full and jumbled to say the least, but I am loving every minute of it. French is such a beautiful language and I have 4 wonderful professors here. Plus I have my Intercultural Communication class (English) and an all levels gymnastics class (French). I am so excited for the gymnastics class- students can pick from a list of sports ranging from rock climbing or skiing to yoga or basketball. The list was huge and it filled up quick- I was so happy to make it into the gymnastics course. It meets once a week and after our first meeting my body has been so sore! ;) :) I will try to get pictures next week.
Last week I visited a local goat and sheep cheese/milk farm up in the foothills. It was interesting to learn about the cheese making process and the animals themselves. Everyone who wasn't vegan or had allergies was able to sample the cheese, while the rest of us ate a whole lot of fresh, local bread. I definitely overdid it with bread that day to say the least. ;)
Last weekend some friends and did a coastal trip of three cities (Bayonne, France - San Sebastian, Spain - Saint Jean de Luz, France) in French and Spanish Basque country also known as "Euskal Herria" in Euskera (Basque language). In 48 hours we packed in a whirlwind of experiences and had a great time. :)
San Sebastian, Spain was gorgeous and filled to the brim with people and a fun, lively atmosphere. My friend Madi, a journalism student I met here from California, and I wandered in and out of little Pinxos (tapas/small plates of food) bars and got lost exploring and people watching. We had a great time, and the rain that followed us all weekend only came in spurts, so we had time to enjoy walking around instead of getting poured on. We walked back to our hotel on the long stretch of atlantic beach and listened to the waves and took in the salt air. I haven't been to the ocean in years, and I'd forgotten how it really captivates you- it has an energy all its own that is incredibly humbling, similar to the feeling I get when I look up at the Rockies in Colorado or Cotopaxi in Quito. 
Alright, I need to go get ready for my afternoon class. I know I'm forgetting things, but I will try and remember them for the next post. À bientôt!