Rest day in Bilbao - Guggenheim

Today was a day of refueling for our body, mind and soul. Bilbao provided us the nourishment that Bonnie and I were craving.

We started the day by walking to the Guggenheim Museum, stopping first at a cafe that roasts its own coffee beans. We celebrated our best java of the trip by ordering second cups along with their freshly made acai bowls.

We arrived at the museum early so we could walk around the exterior and take in the architecture in its surroundings, including the flower cat, the metal spider, and the shiny silver balls. The building itself is beyond any design I've ever experienced; every few steps it took on a new look as the perspectives with all the elements were almost fluid in motion. While I don't have an architectural background, there's something special about a building that seems to have a different design element every 20 feet, evoking different thoughts and feelings, including, “Hey, that looks like Noah’s Ark!”

Once inside, I was truly impressed with the modern way to see the museum, using QR codes for audio tours and recordings about each exhibit. Some even encouraged us to listen to the background of the piece before entering the room and experiencing it. Some exhibits suggested that you start from a specific vantage point as there was an order to the presentation. All of this was a good reminder to me that some art needs direction for it to be experienced as intended.

One of the first exhibits we walked into was a series of large metal walls that encouraged visitors to examine what time and space meant to them while walking through and around them. Some of the walls leaned in, some leaned out; you were never sure exactly where they were leading you or what was inside. Not only did you get to experience walking through the exhibit, but there was a small room with a miniature of the whole setup so you could see the artist's planning. What was also thoughtful is that on the second floor of the museum there was a vantage point where you could look down on the exhibit to see where you had been, kind of a God’s view of life down on the first floor. I had never experienced an exhibit quite like this.

It was also fantastic to see retrospectives of different artists, with representations of their entire life's work. It was encouraging to see how artists grew and expanded what they did through the years. The creativity in these artists didn't end with one exhibit; it grew with their experience, from their travels, and from their relationships. This challenged me to consider my own work with photography and writing, and how to continue growing with what I'm creating.

There were a couple of exhibits that powerfully demonstrated the use of the power of words, space, and visuals. I found myself soaking up the experience. There is a provocative nature in many of the pieces, not for shock value's sake, but in order to make a statement and challenge complacency. Art can be a wake up call when everyone has been sleep walking. Again, it made me think about my own projects. Some of them could be considered provocative, depending on where you are standing, but they have always been for a purpose. The truth is, I know that sometimes I have held back simply because of fear of how something could be interpreted. I want to move beyond that.

The artists that I experienced today didn't seem to be ruled by fear (however one created her art from a mental institution she placed herself in). If somebody didn't like their art, they didn't like their art; if someone didn't appreciate it, they just didn't appreciate it. But if today was any representation there are many people who are moved by these artists and what they have created. I'd like to think that art makes a difference, and I certainly want my art to be something that I can create with the purpose of bringing light into the world, to create conversation, and to show beauty, even in its rawest form. This invigorated me today.

Bonnie and I have made the most of our day off in Bilbao. Though we are “resting,” we'll have over 20,000 steps in by the end of the day, but at least we don't have a backpack on our shoulders. We walked to the cathedral to get our Camino stamp and it too is a very impressive building, filled with gorgeous light. The art we experience in the churches is so different from what we experienced today in the Guggenheim. I don’t think I’m moved the same way by religious art, but I enjoy taking photos of their altarpieces and some of the statues, especially the ones that represent St. James or someone on a pilgrimage.

Bilbao seems to be a city for walking, and it would be difficult to get around this metropolis in a car. I've marveled that there are so few scooters and bicycles; everybody seems to be on their feet.

For lunch, we found a restaurant that served us a delicious seafood paella. Then we navigated to get a massage from an agency that had very high reviews. They listed a bunch of different massage options. I wanted the one where, when they push on a spot that hurts, you say "Ow," and they work on it until you don't feel that way anymore. We picked a Balinese massage that incorporated a lot of deep tissue work, as well as stretching, and we paid very little compared to what we would back home for this 90 minutes of body ministry. When we left, it felt like we were floating.

We were also thankful to find a Decathlon sports store right around the corner from where we are staying. It is good for me because I've literally walked my ass off and I needed new hiking pants, as I spent too much time yesterday stopping to pull up my Patagonia trousers.

Tomorrow we move forward and upward.Read more