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| Learn the local customs of San Sebastián. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and San Sebastián locals. San Sebastián Map |
 | San Sebastián Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 21 |  |
The beaches in San Sebastián are top-optional, meaning bathing or sun tanning without a bra is not going to get you arrested. In fact, since half of the women on the beach are also topless, it is not a big deal whatsoever.
Completely nude is not actually the norm here, although we did see a man who had not one stitch of clothing on his body. He swam, then stretched on the sand, then rinsed off under the shower, and then stood contemplating the sea. He was free of clothing for a good part of the morning and no one paid the least attention to him. Leave a Comment
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It is good to see the numerous parks and plazas in San Sebastián and the great amount of people enjoying them. There is a park or a plaza in walking distance of every neighbourhood, and when there is a green spot, there are people who congregate. Young and old people sit on benches, shield from the sun or soaking up its warm ray, talking, reading, or keeping their eyes on the children who are playing nearby. The Basque life and relationship are not restricted in the house but extend to the outdoor in neighbourhood parks where the grass is green, the ground is well kept, the sun is shine, and the breeze is gentle. Leave a Comment
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It was a big weekend in Donostia. The regattas for La Concha Flag drew thousands upon thousands of people to town, and under the blazing sun and the still air, everyone screamed and cheered for their teams even after the races were over. It was a festive time, but it was also very hot.
The residents who lived in flats on higher floors had a good view of the races from their balconies; they also participated in the screaming and cheering but at the same time, enjoyed the comfort of their own homes. From those advantage points, they listened to the music from the marching band and watched the parade of people below them. Perhaps it started with a prank, or perhaps it was a local tradition, we had no idea how or why, all we knew was someone from above brought out a bucket of water and poured it over the spectators. Then other people followed the act, and all of a sudden, everyone was soaked.
It continued for a while, neither the givers nor the receivers seemed to mind, everyone laughed and cheered. Leave a Comment
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Thirteen oarsmen and one helmsman. Fourteen muscle-packed bodies and fourteen grim faces. Fourteen pairs of determined eyes. Red, blue, green, yellow, all colours of tank tops, all with black trunks. All are packed tight in fixed-thwart rowing boats, competing against one another for the prize of a flag, the Bandera de La Concha.
Held on the first and second Sunday of September in Bahia de La Concha, this event originally honoured the old anglers and their daily struggle to bring the fish to the harbour at the soonest. Now the prestige competition draws thousands upon thousands of fans and spectators from the province of Gipuzkoa and all other points in the Basque Country to Donostia-San Sebastian.
The crowd formed on the beach and at all vantage points before dawn break on the days of competition. Helicopters from TV and radio stations buzzing overhear, they seemed not to miss anything, every stroke was commented on and every inch of gain was reported. With thousands of people on the beach, there were times when the silence of tension was deafening.
The die-hard fans were out there on the water in their own boats and kayaks so they would not be too far from the action. The rest of the crowd waited at the old fishing harbour to welcome the return of their teams with explosive cheers.
Castro the red shirted team won, and as we were told, it is the best team ever. It has to be. Leave a Comment
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Euskal Jaiak is the Festival of Basque Culture that is held the first ten days of September each year in San Sebastián.
On the first day of the festival, boats compete in the bay to qualify for the Bandera de la Concha, and the final race to championship is held on the last day of the festival. The ten days between the opening and closing events are packed with manifestations to celebrate all aspects of Basque culture. There is handball tournament, bull fights, marionettes, folk music, folk dance, Parades of the Giants, dragon dance, artisan fairs, concerts, plays, cooking contests, etc. and etc.
If you plan to be in San Sebastián during Euskal Jaiak, make sure to book the hotel way in advance, since every accommodation will be filled to the rim with guests. Leave a Comment
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500000 people, more or less, have the basque language as first language. You can see in the map the distribution. San Sebastián is the biggest city where you can hier it often, although is more spoken spanish, i think. But most of people of basque contry thinks the basque language is their own language, although a lot of them don't speak it. They had a lot of historical problems, and basque language was for long time forbidden, and never tought. If you shows your respect for this language, or you knows a few words, the most of people will be glad with you. Leave a Comment
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This language is one of the bigger mysterys of the linguistics. Today, is not related with any other language. The origins are unknown, although there are several theories. Is true that this language was spoken there since the nigth of the times. Is also true that is very related to the Aquitan, the language of the Aquitanie before romans. (Aquitanie is today
Gascongie=Wascunia=Vasconia)It seems there was a big language in some parts of Europe before indoeuropean family. In the photo, a map of the evolution of basque language.
Un dels grans misteris de la linguďstica. No s'han trobat relacions amb cap altra llengua en el món amb certesa, tot i s'ha intentat relacionar amb l'Amazigh i idiomes caucŕsics, sense massa čxit. L'única relació certa és amb l'aquitŕ, llengua parlada a l'aquitŕnia abans de la invassió romana. Hi ha la teoria que va haver un gran llenguatge anterior al celta repartit per Europa, i el basc és l'úlitim vestigi que en queda. Leave a Comment
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We can't forget, there's a political conflict in this land. What means this for a traveler? I think is not a problem. In my experience, i have always feld wellcome. People was always polite with me. As i have spoken with basque, they are very glad if you say them basques, better then spanish. Independentist or not, they are identified with the basque culture before the spanish. In the map, the land known as "Euskalerria", or basquish lands. This is Basque country, Navarra, and french basque country. In black the zones where basque is spoken. Leave a Comment
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Every year around 3th week of September ..the grogeous and famous Kursaal lodge the actors and actresses around the world for its international film festival...in few words Bollocks !! Leave a Comment
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Great folks that brighten up the streets with the music and good mood spreading around Leave a Comment
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- NH Aranzazu
Vitoria-Gasteiz 1, San Sebastián - Gudamendi
Paseo de Gudamendi 26, San Sebastián - Silken Amara Plaza Hotel (Plaza Pio Xii No 7 )
Plaza Pio XII 7, San Sebastián - Hesperia Donosti
Avenida Zarautz 120, San Sebastián - Silken Amara Plaza
Plaza Pio XII 7, San Sebastián - Lintzirin
Ctra Madrid - Irun, Km 469, San Sebastián - Lc Hotel Maria Cristina
Paseo Republica Argentina, 4, San Sebastián - Nicol's Hotel San Sebastian
Gudamendi, 21, San Sebastián - Villa Soro
Avda de Ategorrieta 61, San Sebastián - Ibiltze Hotel Lasarte
Antxota 3-4 Lasarte, San Sebastián - Mercure San Sebastien
Paseo del Faro 134 Monte Igueldo, San Sebastián - Abba Londres Y De Inglaterra
Zubieta 2, San Sebastián - Hotel Codina
Avenida Zumalacarregui 21, San Sebastián - MARIA CRISTINA
Paseo Republica Argentina, 4, San Sebastián - Tryp Orly
Plaza de Zaragoza 4, San Sebastián
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on September 10, 2006
on September 20, 2003
on September 20, 2005
