Bilbao

I know what you're thinking...what kind of horror movie hallway is that...

Well, friends and family....we called room 503 home for one night in Bilbao, Spain (complete with uncovered pipes above, florescent lights below, and room numbers written on the doors with a permanent marker...hard to imagine the inside of our room was actually clean, not creepy, and quite comfortable)

It may be hard to tell from the picture but this was the first stop on our gastronomical adventure in northern Spain. Classic cafe con leche (which is a latte), and an incredible breakfast "sandwich" (a piece of spanish tortilla (a quiche with potatoes, egg and onion), cut in half with lettuce, tomato, ham, cheese and mayo!)

We knew this was a good first sign for our tummies :)

Matthew the redhead and Andrea the blondie.

And just on the other side of the bridge, we got our first real glimpse of the most unique building we've ever seen...The Guggenheim!

The odd Guggenheim art was foreshadowed by this sculpture in front of the building. 

While admiring the massive floral puppy, Andrea was interviewed by a Spanish TV crew doing a show for tourists. 

Like "the bean" in Chicago...only more colorful, cooler, and Spanish! ha

For lunch we had a delicious menu of the day.
We paid for a starter, main dish, dessert, and one drink each...We got 2 main course meals, dessert, and a bottle of wine...each! This resulted in a sloppy walk home before falling into bed for a very Spanish afternoon siesta...

That night we went out for a stroll and ran into a Holy Week procession...

We assure you this is not a KKK meeting in the middle of Spain...though it suuuure looked like it!

The people process with large elaborate floats, carrying life-size statues of Jesus or Mary.  

 They are wearing very traditional "penitential" robes with a tipped hood that have been worn by Spaniards since the Medieval period. Some walk barefoot or wear shackles on their ankles during the processions as a symbol of penance during the Easter season. 

After the events lulled to a mass, we decided to go check out our new favorite building by the light of the moon...