Was a long day today, started early with breakfast at my SB place and then a bus to the Euskotren to Hendaye. I was early enough that I took a local bus into Hendaye and had a coffee before my train. Train was on time and I ended up meeting a lovely young family and the father suggested what turned out to be a very good choice of restaurant in Bordeaux. Madame Pang. Asian fusion type food but many GF options labeled as such on the menu. Off and on rainy here. Managed to stop by the CIVB, the school of wine and tasting a few things. On arrival there were protests happening, so the tram stopped well short of the the hotel and I ended up dragging my bag for quite a way. One of the wheels is totally blown so that will be a project to get replaced. My favorite locals wine bar remembered me and had an enjoyable glass with locals hanging out.

Got a late start today, but went to my favorite Simona coffee club breakfast place. Then bus down to the other end of the bay with hopes of taking the Funicular up to the old amusement park. Wait was too long, given that I have done it before. So explored Antiguo for a few minutes before busing back and hunting down to Pinxtos for lunch. Headed to an English meet up, which was a discussion of perfectionism, but a few religious types were a little heavy on that. Anyway a couple more snack and then home to get organized for bus, train and TGV ride to Bordeaux tomorrow.

After all the traveling, I decided to just hang out in San Sebastián today. Found a new breakfast place that had a GF avocado toast, but not as good as my usual stop. Walked around a lot and went around the point before heading to lunch in Gros. Was trying to find one of those Basque steaks, but ended up with something that was somewhat disappointing. Oh well…. Did some laundry and then went out for a few pinxtos before heading back to the apartment. Great weather today, and crowds were moderate. I ducked out for a quick bite around 9:30pm and am amazed at how many people are out and about and socializing on a Sunday night. Spanish definitely work on a late schedule, for example the lunch place would not serve until 1:00pm. Thankfully tapas seem to be available almost any time, although there are places that don’t open until 7:00pm.

After a quick breakfast with Portland friends I took a bus to Tolosa, about 18 miles away and famous for Casa Julian, considered one of the best steak places in the world. Unfortunately fully booked 3 months in advance, so not luck there, but I still wanted to check out the town. It used to be the capitol of the Basque country many years ago. The bus ride was exciting to say the least. A big bendy city bus driven on a winding highway at remarkable speed. After exploring the town, and trip through a rather interesting puppet museum, seeing the rather disappointing Saturday markets, I had a burger and grabbed a bus back. A good nap ensued and then out to explore a bit with dinner at the Verumteria with the Portland gang. Lots and lots of people out and about. Funny how in the USA people aren’t generally out walking around and socializing but in Europe everyone is out around 5:30 or so. Lovely weather today.

Early start today with a bus over to Montparnasse for train to Hendaye. Nice smooth ride with interesting people, an art dealer and his Latvian wife were next to me and then a couple from Portland, Oregon who were also headed to San Sebastián. I guided them to the Euskotren and to their hotel via local bus. After finding my airBNB, which is fabulous, did a load of laundry, certain amount of wrestling with the machine to get it to run, the door was a little flaky. Then off to for tapas and met up with the Oregon couple and two of their friends for a fun evening of tapas and Pinxtos followed by cheesecake. All in all an excellent first evening in San Sebastián. Gorgeous warm weather and then a light jacket for the evening.

Lots of running around today, started with coffee at Peleton then to the storage space to put some things in and take some clothes out. Back to the hotel so I didn’t have to carry things around. Then to Marche d’Aligre to try and track down friends, without success but had a decent lunch. Back to Notre Dame and then coffee on Ile St. Louis where I linked up with Wonalancet friends briefly. Somewhere in the day I stopped into the apartment, as I saw someone in the window who turned out to be the cleaner. Lovely day today, but lots of protests etc. are apparently in progress. I didn’t see any, but metro stops closed at certain times, and buses rerouted or just stopped. Bite of dinner at L’Avant Comptoir du Terre, always a favorite. Off to Spain tomorrow via train.

Had a smooth flight from Seattle to CDG, although at the last minute someone moved into one of the 4 seats I had vacant to myself. Still managed to get some sleep. Flight arrived an hour early and even though the shuttle had some delays and the passport automatic reading didn’t work, I did walk right on to an RER train and it was an express so got into the city nice and quickly. Definitely a rainy day here, but not cold. Ran around a bit getting organized and then met Leo for dinner at Casimir. Excellent place, although we did stick to appetizers. Anyway, fatigue is kicking in so early to bed tonight!

Always bitter sweet coming to the end of a Paris trip. Walked around Pl. Dauphine and Notre dame this morning, then lunch with fellow Apartment share holders at Louis Philipe. Apero with Lilly from Je T’aime me neither. Light dinner at Les Edituers and back to apartment. Some wash, packing organizing etc. but not a super early flight so time to finish up in the morning.

Started the day picking up an air purifier that I ordered from Amazon France. The locker I usually use was full so had it delivered to the nearby post office, which worked quite well. It is a little small but the same brand as the ones I have in Seattle. Hopefully it will work well for the apartment. Then off the wander around the Canal St. Martin with lunch at a Mexican place that was actually good and had some spice. After that a wander through Pl. de La Republique and then Pl. des Voges before heading back the apartment to regroup. Met S for a glass of wine in Odeon at Hibou, the a stop at Gentlemen 1919 and the tapas at Avant Comptoir du Terre. Tomorrow will be packing and cleaning day prepatory to departing on Wednesday.

Headed over for a walk through of the Bastille market this morning. This is the biggest open market in Paris. Wasn’t quite feeling like more cheese so skipped the usual crepe with cheese and sausage. Then walked a portion of the Coulee Verte, this is an old rail line that has been converted to an elevated park. Off to Le Baron Rouge for a half dozen oysters. Turns out today is the last day for oysters until the fall. A poulet fermier and fries hit the spot for lunch and then back to the apartment for a load of wash etc…. Headed over to St. Sulpice and caught a little bit of the mass before heading to Dinner with CC after Apero at his apartment with his daughter. Good meal at Georgette, not far, then bus back to apt.