San Sebastián Local Customs

1 more image

One of the benefits of building a new extension to the city according to a preconceived plan is that you can correct mistakes and inconvenient features of the old city. In general, Spanish planners building Ensanches tried to make them easy to navigate by putting them on a rigid grid system. Barcelona’s eixample is a good example of this. Donostia’s planners took the mission a step further by using the city’s sidewalk tiles in order to provide massive street signs. That’s right – it is nearly impossible for you not to know the street you’re on thanks to these tiles and that makes tourist visits a little bit easier for the cartographically challenged.

Pintxos(tapas), chased down with the fizzy regional white wine, txakoli, are a religion here; bars in the old city spread an array of enticing tidbits on toothpicks or bread. In the harbour, many places serve tangy sardines with slightly bitter sidra(cider). Custom demands pouring it with arm extended to aerate the sidra and release its full flavour. It is also customary to pour just enough for one or two sips at a time.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT, OUR SPECIAL DAY IS JANUARY 20TH. A BIT COLD, BUT IT IS SPECTACULAR SEEING THE 'TAMBORRADA'. CHILDREN AND ADULTS PLAYING THEIR DRUMS THROUGH THE WHOLE DAY IN HONOUR OF THE CITY'S PATRON SAINT SEBASTIAN.
BUT WITH BETTER WEATHER YOU CAN ALSO ENJOY WITH:
- JAZZ FESTIVAL (JUL)
- INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (SEPT.)
- SEMANA GRANDE (1 WEEK FESTIVITY) (AUGUST)
- INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS COMPETITION IN 'SEMANA GRANDE'

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 linguïstica. 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 caucàsics, sense massa èxit. L'única relació certa és amb l'aquità, llengua parlada a l'aquitània 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.

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.

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.

Any hour of the day, eat "Tapas" and drink "txacoli" white wine.

A local fiesta featuring an endless parade of people dressed up and drumming. An excuse for drinking that takes place 19/20 January.