That is, "Road Trip!"
(at least according to freetranslation.com)
Upon their invitation, we met with local officials of cities/towns that had deep historical connections with the Philippines, and passed through some other pretty cool places along the way. The rides were fast, the views beautiful and varied, the rest stop food suitably unhealthy.
All I needed was a Spanish version of "Alapaap" blaring on the stereo, and I'd be set.
Getaria
Getaria, hometown of Juan Sebastian Elcano, the first person to circumnavigate the world. He completed the voyage to Spain from the Philippines after Magellan was...um...ended by Lapu-lapu. But we're cool now, we're cool.
In fact, locals jumped for joy at our arrival.
Just outside the local church entrance. The arches and alleyways of Spanish towns really make photography for amateurs like me muy facil.
Pamplona
Yes, that Pamplona. Although the town center where they hold the Running of the Bulls was as traditional and picturesque as I imagined, that area was relatively small, while the rest of the town was very modern suburbia-esque, full of upscale Ayala-like condos, townhouses and neighborhoods. The town, of course, was also made famous by Hemingway, which is at the corner of Hemingstreet and Heminglane, just off Highway A-Heming 8.
(what? not funny? too soon?)
The streets where they hold the Running are very narrow, on an incline, paved with solid if slippery stone, and squeezed by tall walls the entire (Heming)way. Throw in the thousands of runners every year, and you can see how someone can get crushed at these things (and why dorks don't join).
Loyola
Basilica of St. Ignatius of Loyola at his birthplace in Azpeitia. Now, despite my exaggerated Georgetown ties, I'm still a Fighting Maroon and Green Archer at heart, so the place that begat Ateneo better have something special to hold my interest. Like a breathtakingly beautiful chapel dome or something.
Oh. Well then.
Zumarraga
Zumarraga, hometown of The Man himself, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Nice and quaint, with lots of Philippine references around town. But what really sold me on the place . . .
. . . were the space-age town council meeting hall chairs!! Zumarrawesome!! (No, YOU'RE awesome!!)
The lodge where we stayed was hosting a wedding reception, and while a surprisingly large number of guests were in black, the bridesmaids wore...you guessed it!...powder blue.
G______a
A senior officer accompanying us had a great idea while looking at this sight: for the FSO exams, we should just flash pictures of certain places, then the examinee has to identify it and elaborate. So, for 10 points: what is this place in Basque country, and what is the significance of the images in this picture to world history?
Buzzzzz!!! Time's up! The correct answers, of course, are: 1) Guernica; and, 2) trick question! The Tree of Guernica is the symbol of Basque resistance during the War, but there are several specimens of that that tree around the area. The trunk seen in the photo is the old tree, while the current one is behind the assembly hall (and not seen in the picture). What the heck, 10 points all around, just because the interiors of the historic Guernica assembly hall are so beautiful!
The Transporter
Ladies, I know you love you some LLDD (what with the undeniable sex appeal and all), but let me introduce you to Piotr. Like "The Transporter", Piotr is a Euro security driver (but with better hair), and while he didn't need to kill anyone during our trip (as far as I know), he is simply all kinds of studly. Let's see: he speaks the languages of at least five countries, and has visited maybe ten times that; he's Project Manager of his own VIP shuttle services company, whose clients include the Cannes Film Festival, the Olympics and all the F-1 races worldwide; he's driven for the likes of Cate Blanchette (to a watch convention in Switzerland), and Michael Shumacher (who wanted him to go faster); he's run his own muay-thai gym, where he's shared a sauna with Jean-Claude Van Damme, and a hollywood casting director once tried to get him to appear as fighter in "Gangs of New York"; he's dated enough women in enough countries to matter-of-factly conclude Brazilians are the hottest (Italians? "Ooohhhhh, they're evil" he say's with a smile); he's driven across Europe non-stop and above 300 kph on the autobahn (Why? Because he's goddamn Piotr, that's why).
Then there's this: literally ALL OVER Barcelona are these billboards for a swimwear/underwear company. I'm talking every single street corner and bus stop had one. The girl in the middle is apparently a famous model. So Piotr nonchalantly says "Oh, her? She's the ex of my best friend."
So to recap, Piotr is the kind of guy who hangs with guys who break-up with supermodels. So who do I hang with?!
Thanks Filipo, but it's just not the same.
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