El Norte - day 4 OR Thank goodness for rain slickers! (by Michelle)

We started out our day in Donostia by going to the Chilida sculptures called Combs of the Wind. They are right on the coast and are always interesting because the weather is always different and adds to the overall effect. The first time I came here was just after Chillida's death and it was a reverent and spiritual place, but I must confess that this time the highlight was the blowholes (see Eva's earlier post).

Then we made the big tactical error of the day. David left with the backpack to meet a friend in town. We both forgot that all of the umbrellas were in the backpack. It started to rain lightly, but we were in slickers so we didn't worry.

The kids and I decided to go up Mount Igeldo for a view of the city. It is a strange place where to the east is a breathtaking view of the city and to the west on the tip-top of the hill is a small (sort of tacky) amusement park. The juxtaposition is a little strange. It was a bit of a walk even with the bus ride up and the rain was getting heavier. Simon was tired of pictures, but posed for one ("Just one Mom!") and was anxious about getting back down the hill in the rain. It was amazingly beautiful, but as our slickers became saturated with water and the kids were getting tired, the view became less and less of a distraction. Thank goodness for Laura who was so fun with Eva that she didn't even think to complain. We took this picture when we found a bridge on the hill to rest under for a few minutes.

When we finally got to the bottom of the hill we did what we never do -- we called a taxi for a ride back to the hotel. I think the driver was hesitant to let us in ("You're pretty wet"), but realized that I was on the verge with three wet children and he had a little compassion. We spent the siesta in the hotel with a hair dryer trying to dry out the shoes.

Later we were out again, this time with the umbrellas. The rain was relentless all day long, but Donostia is beautiful even if when you're a little soggy.