October 16th, last day in Spain

These last few days have been a whilrwind trying to fit in last minute hikes, pintxos, and tramites (errands). Ash, Kepa, and I woke up super early. We dropped off my luggage at the pension-hostel in Bilbao where I decided to spend the night and zipped off to Guernika to see the town.
Guernika is symbolic for being bombed by the Nazis during the time of the Spanish civil war. It was a tragedy and Picasso painted his piece in memory of the events that happened in Guernika.
Picasso´s painting is now at the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid(corrected because it moved out of the Prado circa 2008). Today, we a copy of his painted work (same size) in clay and tile outdoors in the center of the town. I saw the painting in 1998 when I traveled with Ellie in Spain and it was very impactful. It was interesting to be able to go to the town of Guernika this time to be able to learn more about the history.
We attempted to go a cool looking painted forest and old cave, but we ran out of time.
I took the bus to Bilbao, met a yoga instructor who sat next to me on the bus, and chatted the whole way to Bilbao.
I enjoyed the quiet Sunday in Bilbao going to Museo de Bellas Artes, and the Guggenheim in Bilbao. I squeezed in a lot of art on my last day here.
I was impressed by the exhibit by sculptor, Serra, at the Guggenheim. I enjoyed free admission because it was some anniversary for the Guggenheim. I also really enjoyed some sculptures by E. Chillida at both museums. He had one miniatures sculpture in honor of Salvador Allende. I am intersted now to learn more about Chillida. Sadly, his museum in San Sebastian had to close.
My next steps include heading to bed in time to wake up at 4:30 am to make it to the bus station to get the the airport in time for my 7 a.m. flight. eeek! My cell phone is losing charge quick, who knows why, so I got myself a cheapo alarm clock at one of the only stores open on a Sunday night here in Bilbao. It was run by a Chino who spoke broken Spanish to me who spoke broken spanish. Good fun.
I am sad to have to say goodbye to Spàin! It was tough to despedir a Ashlyn and Kepa this morning. Now It will be interesting to leave a place where I can get by speaking the language to end up somewhere where I don´t understand a word.
Turkey (Istanbul), here I come.
until later,
Arielle
My next steps are to get up early