AUGUST 30, 2021

Since I mentioned San Sebastian in my last post I thought I’d take the opportunity to post an illustration I made right before I left, to show you a bit more about the city that stole my heart for a year.

1. Pintxos (said pinchos) in la Parte Vieja meaning “the Old Part”. With the most concentrated number of bars in the world, and celebrated for its cuisine (pintxos), there was always something to discover in this labyrinth of alleys. Reggae nights in churches, secret societies or the best chuleta of your life, it was always a good time.

2. Playa de la Zurriola (Zurriola Beach) breaking in the corner. This is the surf beach that sits right on the edge of the city. A narrow bay with a few sections, it can be a beast or a bath depending on the day, season and swell.

3. The ponies, who have the best view of the city. It blew my mind how one minute you were in the middle of a city and 5 minutes later in complete nature just by walking up the hill and around the headland, through ancient ruins and out to where the high cliffs plunge to the ocean below.

4. El Peine del Viento (The Comb of the Wind) a permanent art installation that combs the wind before it enters the city. San Sebastian is well known for its wind and siri miri - something between mist and rain. When there’s a big swell you can get waves along this wall - but it’s rare. Also had to include Banjo guy who always played in the tunnel.

5. La Concha - which means shell or vagina, whichever you prefer, is the calmer beach of San Sebastian on the other side of the city to Zurriola. There’s a harbour on one side with a nightclub in a boat, an Island in the middle, Michelin star restaurants behind and a pool underground. I drew the pontoon they’d put there in Summer, a typical holiday scene.

6. The city itself, cut by the River Urumea. I took some creative license and adjusted the drawing to include the Tabacalera (the old tobacco building turned art museum), the 5 star Maria Christina where celebrities stay, the cathedral, the Jesus statue on Monte Urgull and of course some beachgoers making their way to Zurriola.