Bilbao

So here we are in sunny Bilbao. (trying the new photo updater at the mo, so this may look a little weird).

As you can see, the most noteworthy building in Bilbao is the new(ish) Guggenheim which seems to play a similar role the the opera house in sydney. no-one really cares whats inside, it´s the sheer fact of it´s existence which puts Bilbao on the map. It certainly put it on ours, and for the we should thank mrs Guggenheim, for Bilbao has been a delight!

The wonderful weather, friendly people, great shops (all with sales!) all go to make Bilbao a wonderful place, and as you can clearly see in the pic, we are having fun. (I know i´m looking a little éuro-resort´ here, but when in bilbao...)

A few general observations you might find interesting:

1. Everyone in the whole of Spain smokes. Its not that long since smoking was banned almost totally in Australia, and it´s amazing just how different it all is here. I know, its their choice etc, but it is a real difference.

2. People believe phlegm is a public affair. If coughng ever becomes an olympic sport, i tip Spain for a trifecta. They have some of the richest, deepest coughers ever. In history.

3. Stopping. People here dont mind stopping. They do it a lot. Often, they choose crowded walkways or busy lanes of roads. Its amazing. But thats not all - everyone else politely waits without the slightest suprise or rejoinder. In oz, this sort of behavior could spark pedestrian-rage, but the placid people of Spain are only too happy to pass the day standing still.

Probably something to be learnt from that, but i´ll leave that to you. We are just here to look, love and leave.