Familia

I dragged my suitcase along Gracia early in the morning, but got no look back from people in front of me, I guess they are just used to the sound, how disappointing!

A short flight landed us in Vitoria, where Dani grew up. Five people were waving at us at the airport—well, at Dani and his cousin, Immediately I felt lost in translation, thick accent I couldn’t figure out, it took me seconds to realize that every Spanish I learned is now useless. I was so nervous that I couldn’t remember my own appreciation speech I prepared for Dani's parents,
"gracias de invitacion para mi" I mumbled to Dani's dad!

Vale!

Vale is the only word that gives me strength, excitement, energy and motivation for my next adventure, because I understand nada when they speak their language, SMH I should’ve poured that wine money into the Spanish center in HCM instead! And yet, I’m still a wine snob.

Vitoria was, is yet my favorite city I stepped foot in!
Was it the landscape I saw through the plane window? Maybe
Was it the air? Maybe
Was it how family members are connected so soulfully tight, they treat each other like amigos? Yes.

I haven’t traveled enough to the 7 seas to do the math, but Dani's family is tight, they really do care for each other!

"Tu casa es la bonita"

Miguel took us to the city for Dani’s missing tickets to San Sebastian, something that required his papa 😌 but no questions asked! While Cheli stayed and prepared lunch for us all.

How awesome that he introduced me to txakoli and my first "Spanish Omelette" served in a local neighborhood! I cried inside, while they were catching up, I gazed out at the view and took it all in, so funny how I’m at where I am right now. Back to 10 years ago i met George who from Logrono, he talked about how awesome the Basque country is and Basque was my number #1 in the bucket list!

About 11:40am people started to get out to local bars, have coffee then alcoholic drinks with a bite of pintxo, life is quite relaxed here.
Hands down the best tortilla during my trip.

Back home with a half full tummy, a little tipsy on txakoli, a bottle of white wine opened and poof, a full glass appeared in my right hand, a piece of GOOD ham on my left pinchy, my mouth stuffed with bread, I swear I’m not an alcoholic!

Hector and Annie arrived for lunch, according to Dani, they are only in Vitoria because of me, I gagged!

Lunch was served in a rustic way, oven-baked herbed lamb, blood sausage, bread and more alcoholic drinks, 10/10
I smiled from ear to ear because I got the biggest chunk of protein, which I CAN NOT say no to, uhm tender and juicy! Cheli's homemade ... was quite impressive.

Not to waste my visa fee, Dani rushed me to the car and drove me to the almond point to start his tour guide side hustle. I remember nada, building after building, wall after wall, street after street, I’m dulled and zoned out, sorry Dani, I pretended to listen to you and didn’t want to interrupt but talking architecture to me is like speaking human to a cat! La la la la la la la

Awesome tour, Dani was the best at what he's doing, devoted, organized and a lots of "walky talky", in his defend, Vitoria's history was his root, he knows exactly where to go and what to do, all the rocky path is in his palm.

I chose a wrong pairs of shoes for his day.

The day closed with a lot of love.Read more