Well, we just happened upon the towns annual festival, as the car came to a stop we could hear bands, fireworks and crazy drumming. Not a regular tourist stop we felt privileged to be passing, casual, observers.
Somewhat confronting, but glad to know it was only ceremonial, these characters had enormous bells strapped to their backs to ward
off wild animals in the forests.
The sound was quite deafening!
Not only that but it was also the residence of Victor Hugo, for a while, and they had a very interesting museum there in his old home.
Victor's bust!
Some of his handiwork
Lunch was great, an old family establishment, the setting by the water, and the food was just terrific. Well worth the stop.
Live lobsters were kept in a cage suspended under the
floor of the restaurant in the sea and hoisted up when required
Stuffed squid
Peppers, tuna and anchovy salad
After our lunch we passed the local festivals lamb roast, hanging legs and shoulders either side of a fire and hot coals in the square!
Unusual but effective.
Carving, Pasaia style!
Not far out of town along a windy harbour track we also visited the death place of four young Basques, murdered by Franco's henchmen as they came ashore, betrayed and slaughtered on the craggy rocks. It is just so amazing to be in Basque country where there has been such a violent ethnic struggle. No one seems to have won here, but many young lives have been lost in a frustrating, but now thankfully ended, struggle for them.
Scene of the deaths.
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