Sunning ourselves in San Sebastian

" I like to cook for my friends, and now you are here, you are my friends " - Mario, staff member at Roger's House, and undiscovered MasterChef

Foodie moment

Pintxos, Pintxos, Pintxos!!!!! Our favourite food by far - just couldn't stay away!!

A more successful 'Menu del Dia' attempt - with one exception! The problem started when we hadn't quite got up to translating the main courses on the menu when the waitress wanted our order, so Mark picked a random one that had chorizo in it. Starter was lentil and chorizo soup and spinach and salmon pie - both great! Main course was the local speciality, cod with spicy, tomato sauce and then the translation fail...... Tripe!! Probably the one thing on the menu we would never have chosen! Needless to say we had a go at it.. the sauce was nice but we just couldn't get past the idea of it! Mark said he liked it more than the cod, but proclaimed he would never order it again!! Oops!

Cultural moment

The residents of San Sebastian love the sunshine, and have turned the act of sunbathing into an art form. As soon as it hits lunch break they head straight to the beach, strip down to many levels of undress (including completely naked) and soak up as much sun as they can before they head back to work! No Slip, Slop, Slap here!!

Wow moment

San Sebastian has two beautiful beaches with some of the softest sand you will ever feel. On one side of the tidal river is the famous La Concha beach, and the other La Zurriola, the surf beach. Both are really beautiful beaches, which is amazing considering they are right in the city.

Parte Vieja is the old town of San Sebastian and is where our hostel was situated. Beautiful sunny squares, winding cobbled streets, back to back cafes and bars with glimpses of the ocean between stone arch ways. So lovely!

What we learnt today

Whilst hostels are often judged on their facilites and location, it is often something as simple as friendly staff that make it a special experience. Roger's Hostel is basically just one floor of a residential apartment block; the rooms are small, there is no common room and there are just 3 showers and toilets for all guests. Yet it is still a favourite hostel of all that visit it. This is because you are treated like part of the family from the moment you arrive. Each night one of the staff, Mario, cooks for everyone who wants to join, for just 5 Euro. As you are squashed in the 'much too small' kitchen, enjoying free sangria and chatting to all the people staying there with Mario pottering around cooking delicious food, you do feel at home. Any loneliness or feelings of detachment from the world you may feel whilst travelling just fade away! As Mario himself said, " I like to cook for my friends, and now you are here, you are my friends now". What a sweetheart!