By Leonardo Rodriguez Carrion
To the Basque Country!
This was my first big trip outside the United States and over the Atlantic Ocean. In 2016, the year I graduated from high school, this was my “senior trip.” Almost everyone else in my graduating class had decided to go to Disney, but not me! Although it has been many years since I traveled to Spain, I have an itinerary and some other maps and goodies I obtained during the trip.
This was a foreign exchange with a family abroad, specifically from Glassboro, New Jersey, to Vitoria, Spain. In 2015, I hosted one of the students who participated in the program. The Spanish students came for about two weeks, as we would the following year. We went during Easter break. We left on March 24, 2016, and returned on April 9, 2016. It seems so long ago now.
I regret not writing, but I could not find my journal, which I had written during my trip. I have quite a few, but I must write about most of this trip from memory. Before continuing, we will look at the Ten Commandments of Travel, which the Glassboro High School foreign exchange club founder had us read, which she borrowed from Heritage Tours.
The Ten Commandments of Travel
Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast at home, for thou hast left home to find things different.
Thou shalt not take anything too seriously for a carefree mind is the start of a good holiday.
Thou shalt not let other travelers get on thy nerves, for thou hast traveled far to enjoy thyself.
Remember to take half as many clothes as thou hast traveled far to enjoy thyself.
Know at all times where thy passport is, for a person without a passport is a person without a country.
Remember that if we had been expected to stay in one place, we would have been created with roots.
Thou shalt not worry, for he that worrieth hath no pleasure and few things are that fatal.
When in Rome, be prepared to do somewhat as the Romans do.
Thou shalt not judge the people of a country by the person who hath given thee trouble.
Remember, thou art a guest in other lands, and he who treats his host with respect shall be honored.
I do not remember having to read this or reading it at all, but this is so enlightening! I have a link I found online where someone has the same commandments, but some do differ you google them (Sharing The “10 Commandments of Travel” – Shawn Power).
Without further ado, let’s talk about my trip to Spain! This trip would inspire many future trips, especially with my good travel partner, my mother.
On March 24th, we checked our luggage, and our teacher ensured we were prepared and good to go to Spain. I don’t recall much of this day, but we were excited as our parents checked in to ensure we had everything we needed for our trip. At the time, I was dating my first girlfriend. We went to Rita’s to get water ice before I left the next day. I remember because I think Rita’s messed up my digestion when we went on the plane. I had never been on a plane for so many hours.
On March 25th, we left the high school on a school bus to get to the Philly airport. We would fly with Lufthansa to Frankfurt and from Frankfurt to Bilbao. I remember sitting beside my best friend Ray on this extended trip to Spain. The next day, March 26th, we arrived in Germany early in the morning, and the sun had barely risen. We got through customs with no problem, and here we would take one more plane to get to Bilbao. When we got to Bilbao, some families were waiting for us outside the gate where we could see them. They gave us a warm welcome.
I don’t remember much of this day as we were settling in, but I remember my host dad walking around Vitoria once we arrived and telling me how peaceful the city was. Everyone was away on vacation!
Settled in Spain
The next day, March 27th, was designated as a family day. I would spend time with my friend Kenny from high school, as both students who hosted us were close friends. We went to a small town where I bought some Spanish playing cards, which I still have. We played a game that I had not played anywhere else since. I also remember going to one of the original Salt Mines of the northern Iberian Peninsula, and even the Romans were shocked to see how sophisticated the Basque people were at making salt. The tour guide to the place explained precisely how to make salt. He said it takes three things to make salt. I bought some Basque salt from here, lasting over two years. That was the best salt I ever had.
On March 28th, we had our first group tour, and we all got together once again. I don’t remember too much of this day. We were all back together, but the feelings remained, and my memory was not so good. I do remember it was either this day or another day. Still, the city of Vitoria was celebrating its victory over the defeat of the French military during the Napoleonic Wars.
On March 29th, we took a trip to San Sebastian, a beautiful city I fondly remember. We walked near the beach for a bit, but it was still too cold to swim. I also remember seeing a small island near the shores, which I found cool because most beaches don’t have small islands so close to them. My friend Kenny and I walked to the top of the city’s Jesus statue. There, they had some old cannons where the hill was used as a lookout towards any invaders.
On March 30th, we walked around the museum atrium and did a mural tour of Vitoria. It was here that I remember seeing the Guernica, for which Pablo Picasso is so famous. If I do recall, I think this is where I saw some of the most famous artwork, which I would soon see become emboldened by internet memes and fruit art. No, I think I saw some bananas painted inside the museum.
The third city
On March 31st, we went to Bilbao, where a vast storm caught us. I don’t recall too much about Bilbao. It was the least memorable of the three big cities in the Basque country for me.
