Aste Nagusia

I still don't have internet at home, but I started my intensive program yesterday and so I have wifi on campus. I'm on my break right now, but I shall attempt to give a quick update!

So last post I mentioned Aste Nagusia, which translates to Great Week of Bilbao. It is a huge fiesta that lasts for 9 days. The fiesta starts around 10pm and the city is transformed into a huge outdoor block party. There are free concerts scattered throughout the city with about a dozen different venues and genres of music. There are outdoor bars and kiosks selling all sorts of boccadillos (sandwiches) and drinks. There are street performers, folk dancing, outdoor theater, and all sorts of different things. There is even a fair (much like the OC fair) and fireworks every night.The streets of Bilbao are packed with people from all over Spain and other countries. And there are people of all ages, from kids in strollers to old couples, roaming around until the wee hours of dawn.

It is a fiesta MUY GRANDE! I went out and explored the fiesta for 4 nights. Because the fiesta started around 10pm and lasted until around 5 or 6 am, my life was a bit crazy for 4 days. I woke up around noon, ate lunch, took an afternoon siesta and went back out to the fiesta! It was definitely an experience I'll remember.

Night 1:

We went to a U2 tribute concert. Sorry for the blurry picture.

Night 2:

We went to Casco Viego (roughly translates to Old Helmet) which is the Old Town part of Bilbao. This was the main party area. See how many people are packed on the streets!

Night 3:

We went back to Casco Viejo, this time I brought my roommate Jeanne (who arrived earlier that day).

Night 4:

I met most of the people in these pictures from the hostel I stayed at. Some were only visiting for a few days but most were also in Bilbao to study abroad. Great times were had by all, though I'm relieved that the fiesta is over so I can get back to a more normal sleeping schedule. :D

Besos,
Pris