Masingill's Spain Adventure: Surfs Up

When we woke up yesterday the sky, for the first time since we arrived, was a brilliant blue and the sun was shining unchallenged. Low tide was @ 11:00 so we were up and out early to hit the surf shop that Megan has surfed out of since she got here. I have to be honest, I was not aware that surfing is as good and popular as it is over here. The water is about 50 so we suited up, met our instructor and headed to the beach for some lessons. I was a bit nervous that they do not have any gloves or feet for rent. Our instructor, of course, had both. I figured I would be in the water for about 30 seconds before tender foot had to head for the warm showers to save our digits.

Our French instructor talked to us about the unusually strong riptides in this area and then tips on what we would be doing once we got in the water. Easier on land than agua. I was having issues with just arching my back so I wasn't holding out much hope for success. As I was laying there, a dog came up and decided to piss right on me. Thank god for wet suits! Time to get into the water and try out what we had been taught. We signed up for 1.5 hour lesson so plenty of time to fail or succeed. Ryan got up on his first wave and I met with success on my second. Megan was surfing on a much smaller board which makes it harder but she was able to demonstrate good technique. Staci is behind the camera!

First Practice

Then Stretch

Enter

Deeper. Watch cross current!

The Offender! Fourth from the left!

Looking Good!

Exito!

Ryan got the first wave. Won our Bet!

Making a cut.

Megan Up!

After surfing we went to Megan's favorite surf side restaurant for Hamburgers and cervesa. Great post surfing conversation and bragging was on tap. Exhausted, we went back to the apartment and thought about a siesta. Nothing doing. It was sunny and beautiful out so we all decided on a course of action. La Chica's geared up for shopping in the old town and I had to run off the lunch. My plan was to run down the Playa de Concha... muchas guapas to motivate oneself and Ryan was taking the bike out to continue filming is GoPro video. He strapped it on to the bike and he got some great video of his hour long tour of the city.

We had made plans to all meet at the first bridge to walk over to the sociedad and meet Megan's host family for dinner. This is a private club that only admits those that are of the Rioja region! Kind of like an elks club only a bit more discriminating. You pay a fee and you have access to the kitchen, bar and library. Nothing fancy but very practical for city dwellers who don't have large flats or kitchens. If you want to have a dinner party or birthday party, you could never do it in most peoples flats so you go here. Megan and her friend Rachel had their thanksgiving celebration at the Rioja Sociedad! Eva made us typical appetizers for the region that included various croquetta's, hard boiled eggs w/ tuna, egg and shrimp, peppers stuffed w/ cod and several bottles of Rioja. Dessert was Pastel Russo from Roberto home town. You can only get it from this town and it is to die for! We all walked home and played along the river with the kids. Time for bed. Tomorrow would be our last day and we were heading to France. Bearitz and San Jean de Luz along the coast. Can't wait!