59. Bilbao, Espana. Part 1

We are "rained in" in Bilbao!

We tried hard to get out today, but alas, the weather beat us in the end and we retreated to this outdoor extension of a restaurant as we picked our way back to the hotel along the river-front.

At about 3.30 pm the rain set in for good and we gave up and headed back to the hotel for five hours of hand-washing, manicure, pedicure, emails and BBC World News.  Five hours because that is how long it is until dinner time!  But who is counting?

Bilbao is in the very northern part of Spain, on the estuary of a major river and almost, but not quite on the Atlantic coast.  We are here to visit the Guggenheim.

We misjudged the weather!  Yesterday was warm, bright and sunny - so we went to the Guggenheim for the day and then walked the shopping streets in the late afternoon until dinner time.  Just lovely!

Today we planned a river sight-seeing cruise as there is no hop on-hop off tourist bus, a walk around the old historic streets of the city and a Metro train excursion along the estuary.  But we emerged from the hotel to cloud and mist, and by the time we had had a coffee at the tiny hole-in-the-wall bar across the street, the sky was dripping.  So ...... what to do?  We retreated to our car in the hotel basement and scrummaged the suitcases for warmer clothes, long pants, waterproof jackets, long sleeves and of course, an umbrella.  This done, we ventured out again.  To the funicular ...........

Bilboa is at sea level, about 8 km from the Atlantic Coast along the estuary of the river Nervion.  It is in a valley with very steep sides.  So to get to the panorama point - the spot at which to view the whole city - one goes up the funicular (rather than climbing 3 million steps).  Here is the little red funicular carriage which can carry about 50 people at a time plus bicycles, prams etc.  It costs 0.90 euro cents per person each way.  The locals use it as a commute, parking at the top. 

 The view from the top was very limited by the weather, but you can see the river and the bridges, including the red one.

And here we go back down.  

However, when we arrived last Sunday afternoon, the sun was shining so here are the snaps I took around the river.

This is the tram line along the river ..... very gentle!

A closer view ........

Here is the tram.  Very low to the ground, and very, very quiet.

This is the inside.  Very like the Paris trains. Three compartments, all connected.  It costs 1.30 euros per person from one side of the central city area to the other.  The trams run every 4 minutes at peak times and every 9 minutes at other times.  They are always on time and even non-Spanish speaking tourists can buy a ticket and validate it with ease.  The reason this tram is empty is that we have travelled from terminus to terminus as an easy and pleasant sightseeing method in the rain.  This was obviously taken as we turned around and changed direction at the terminus.

As we walked around on Sunday we noticed this garbage van.  Called Bilbao garbi, they are one or two man operated mini-trucks that are very flexible, and can go into all public spaces, no matter how small.  We have since seen them everywhere - 24/7.  

Paul and I spent some time at dinner last night debating the economic rationale for a clean city.   Paul's rationale is that Spain has 21% unemployment and therefore, city authorities, to be seen to be doing something, are employing these local clean-up teams 24/7 as an economic development response.  I'm sure he's right and I like it!  And what a difference it makes to the city.  Everything, and I mean everything, is spick-and-span.  But it only works where the municipal authority has (or is willing to invest in) the infrastructure of mini-vans, pressure washers, super-duper one-man handcarts, etc, etc.  It was the same in both Segovia and Toledo, but not evident further south.  

Another interesting thing we have spotted in Spain - the public urinal.  That's Paul's leg you can see ... but fortunately, little else!

This one was actually quite private compared to some ..........

Anyway, enough of public facilities.  Tomorrow we are off to the Guggenheim!  See you then.