Now, quick update on the days after. The next day we went to Zaragoza. Elisa and I explored the nicest shopping mall I've ever seen- complete with outdoor rock walls and a lake to paddle around. It was amazing. There was a outdoor gear shop that Elisa wanted to go see. She told me I would love it, she was right. Imagine REI, but at 1/3 the price on everything. A Quechua down jacket: $20. A thermal base layer: $10. Climbing shoes: $20. Harnesses: $20. Needless to say, I'll be shipping something things home from that slice of Nirvana.
The next day, yesterday, we loaded the car up and drove away. Our goal? The Pyrenees. Arturo and Elisa have an apartment in Castejón de Sos. This would be our home for the next couple days. We drove for about four hours. I watched as the landscape turned from rolling hills and warm sun to grey clouds, rocky cliffs, and soaring mountains. We stopped at one point next to a gorgeous lake to stretch our legs. We weren't even there yet and I was in love with the views.
Finally we arrived in Castejón de Sos. It's a very small town. The buildings are mostly made of stone and perfectly fit the feel of the town. This town is known for its paragliding. Stores advertise "adventure" in every window. Before we went to the apartment, we went for lunch in a small cafe. We met one of Elisa and Arturo's friends. He was quite excited to make a new friend from Colorado. He spoke with me about my job in Alaska, why I took a year off from school, and more. I did my best to explain in broken Spanish. But he's a very fun man to meet no matter what. We enjoyed some warm food and cups of coffee as the snow began to fall outside.
Finally we headed to the apartment. As Elisa and I were unloading the car and man walked towards us. She told me he's a famous climber named Jonathan Larrañaga. She introduced us, he kissed me on the cheeks as Europeans do, and he went on his way. I hadn't heard of him, but after looking him up later I can say he seems like a fairly incredible guy. So I guess you can say that was a big deal. 😉
We settled in to the apartment. After quick naps, we headed off to Banesque for dinner. Banesque is a lot like Castejón de Sos in that the buildings are the same style. However, it's a bit bigger. By this time the snow was dumping. The light posts have Christmas lights on them that glowed through the falling snow. It was magical.
Banesque is at the base of a mountain with a ski resort on it. It's also a prime location for beginning mountaineering trips. So the people there are very outdoorsy types. Which means there are gear stores everywhere. Northface, Mammut, Patagonia, Black Diamond, and much more cover the store fronts. Elisa and I went straight for the infamous Barrabes. It's one of- if not- the best gear shops in Europe. They used to sell online to America until the government said no more because no body was buying in the states anymore. It quite literally took my breath away. One wall was entirely ice axes, ice screws, carabiners, cams, and the like. One wall was all harnesses and rock climbing shoes. One was all crampons, crash pads, and chalk. That was one floor. There were four floors. Needless to say, I was pretty stoked on it all.
(Yes, that jacket is emerged in water. Testing to an extreme.)
Elisa and I contined to walk around the snowy town. I loved the feeling of this town. I could spend a long time there. It was quite amazing. Finally we met Arturo and some more friends at a bar for drinks before heading home.
This morning I woke up to an even more intense snowfall. I smiled knowing it could only be good. I sipped my coffee watching the thick snow swirl through the sky. Eventually, Elisa and I bundled up, testing out our new gear, and went for a morning snowshoe trip. For some reason I couldn't stop thinking about REI's slogan for Christmas. Don't ask me why. Maybe I've been in to many gear shops lately. They said, "Give the gift of stoke." I always liked that. Because really isn't that life? Finding the gift of stoke. And for me? This morning? I was super stoked on life as my hair dripped from melted snow and a smile was pasted on my face. It was a really great morning to say the least.
As the snow kept falling, Elisa, Arturo, five of their friends, and I headed to lunch. It was a special lunch. The place we were eating was a culinary school. Once a week, they let people come for lunch. What makes it even more spectacular is the location. In a renovated 12th centurey monastery that over looks the entire valley, you eat the best food and sip the best wine. It doesn't get better. The friend from yesterday's lunch met us after he skied up to the monastery. The students loved that and came outside to take pictures. The view was unfathomable and the food was perfected to delectable goodness. What a neat experience!
We headed back home with smiles on our faces and happy tastebuds. At the bottom of the hill, I saw the final thing that secured my love for the Pyrenees. And the search for even more "gifts of stoke" continues... Life is good!
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