Coins, Pintxos, and Kindness ❤️

Day 27: Rest Day in Vitoria-Gasteiz (5 mile walk)

We had an actual rest day! I never even looked at the bicycles. Lisa saw them once, only because she retrieved the water bottles to wash them.

We slept late, enjoyed breakfast at the flat, and wandered back into the city. Our first stop was the Sunday flea market in Plaza de España. I searched through old coins hoping to find something from the 1800s, but settled for three coins for one euro. We also searched unsuccessfully for an old marble. We usually bring home a marble from each trip because it is small and easy to carry, but perhaps the tradition is evolving into finding any little flea-market treasure that catches our attention.

Next came the pintxos festival. Pintxos are the Basque version of tapas, small but carefully created bites often served on bread or held together with a toothpick. They are meant to be sampled with a drink while moving between bars or stands, making lunch as much a social experience as a meal. After trying some food and drinks, we were more than ready to return to the flat for a nap.

Later, Koldo, Ainhoa, and their children finally arrived home. Meeting them in person was an absolute delight. Hodei means “cloud” in Basque, while Lur means “earth” or “land,” beautiful names that we will certainly remember.

We played cards, visited a playground, laughed together, and shared stories and a wonderful dinner of tortilla de patatas, salad, cheese, and Rioja wine. The hours passed much too quickly.

This is the true gift of Warmshowers. Sometimes you meet people from a completely different place and almost immediately feel like yourself around them: comfortable, calm, and exactly where you are supposed to be. We arrived as strangers trusted with their home and left feeling like we had found another family.

We know we will be friends forever, and we truly hope Koldo, Ainhoa, Hodei, and Lur will someday visit us in Iowa. What a special evening and a perfect rest day.Read more