goo gin hyme.

Hola to all you non-Spaniards!

I know we were supposed to update this way more often, but we didn't know how busy we'd be! So we're trying to find time (ie, stay up all night) to make sure we keep you all updated on our week. Last weekend, we took a group trip to Bilbao on the northern coast of Spain. After a 6 hour bus ride, some Dramamine, and VERY uncomfortable seats, we made it to the ABBA hotel. After a short break, we took a walk across town to do some sightseeing and find some food! We walked and walked and walked and got to the Guggenheim (we toured it the next day)

- it was BEAUTIFUL and definitely a must-see.

In front of the Guggenheim Museum.

Maman by Louise Bourgeois as part of her recent Spider collection.

These ice cream stands were on every corner, literally.

In front of some colorful blocks? We have no idea what this is.

We were starving by the time we did all that walking, but we ended up getting lost while on our way to go to the restaurant we had reservations at. When we finally found the restaurant, Bitoque, we realized it was just a block up from our hotel. Some of us decided to stay and had tapas on the street. We were so hungry that we all herded to the waiter each time he came out with a serving tray. But everything was amazing, it was worth the wait. For the record, tapas hardly ever fill you up - we ended up ordering pizza afterwards :)

Seared tuna with foamy soy sauce. yum!

Told you we attacked him... these were potato wedges with different "salsas"

On Saturday, we woke up early and had to walk all the way to the Guggenheim again under the rain! We toured for a couple of hours, and then we were free to roam around the museum for a while longer. Pictures were forbidden, but we snuck in a few just for you!

Puppy by Jeff Koons stands in front of the museum.

Tulips by Jeff Koons is on the back patio of the museum.

Inopportune: Stage One by Cai Guo-Qiang (same guy who designed the Beijing Olympics) exhibits identical white Fords with pulsing colored lights to create a "rise and fall" illusion.

The Matter of Time & Snake by Richard Serra made of steel sheets.

Having lunch at a restaurant whose specialty is chicken and eggs - go figure.

In one of the bars in Bilbao (it sucked - they had watered down drinks).

We'll update soon with a review of this past week! But we're having a wonderful time here. Most of our group went to Pamplona this weekend for the Running of the Bulls - we stayed behind to explore Madrid a bit more. Tomorrow, we're going to Toledo on a day trip. We'll have all the weekend updates up by next week! We miss you all and hope you're doing well (we doubt you are without us there...).

Pat and Britt