Donostia Harbor November 2, 2009

The Basques are world-class fishermen whose dominance in the market was eroded by a number of factors.

1. Better natural harbors in other cities, particularly Pasajes, SP.

2. Factory fishing by other countries, such as Norway, Japan and England which exceeded the Basque productivity in smaller vessels

3. Less strenuous and more profitable work in other industries.

History states that San Sebastian and the Basques had viable international sea trading as early as the 1st Century AD.  They developed natural trading partners over the years, and spice trade with Venezuela, esp. cocoa, for artisan products from the Basque region  allowed a permanent Basque trading base to be developed in Venezuela.

The Basques were also the first successful commercial whalers and had camps established as faraway as Newfoundland, Can.  Whaling was important to the Basques and others for its source of lighting oil, and other components of very important and popular products.  Whaling was so important that commercial whalers nearly extinguished many species.  Today the industry is highly regulated.

Basques were later prevented from whaling by the Treaty of Utrecht and their bases closed.  However, the factory whalers which replaced them came to the Basques to acquire skill and equipment important to their success.  More to come on this after I look up the Treaty of Utrecht on Wikipedia.

This photo shows parts of the Donostia- San Sebastian Harbor.  The time of year is late October, so most of the individual water taxis and pleasure boats are at anchor.  This must be a very busy place during the summer season.

Donostia Harbor

Biarritz, France November 2, 2009

We arrived in Biarritz after an hour’s comfortable ride by bus.  Autobus is the most efficient means of inter city travel with comfortable coaches moving between city center terminals.  One can always find the bus terminal and nearby ticket stand simply by walking.  The central business districts of the cities we visited are absent taxi cabs as walking is the preferred means of travel; taxis are available for intercity travels but are significantly more expensive than using the bus if your timetable permits.

When we arrived in Biarritz, the sky was overcast and the fog shrouded the harbor.  After a small “breakfast” of cafe con leche and pastries, we began walking the city and its shopping districts searching for perfect products to add to Ciao Bella’s offering.

By mid day, the fog had lifted to a beautiful blue sky, sunshine, and a spectacular coastline reminiscent of America’s Pacific Coast.  This scene shows a former castle, built into the sea rock, now containing 12 condominium units.

Biarritz, France Harbor

Welcome from Espana November 2, 2009

Our first post on Ciao Bella Shop’s blog comes to you from the Basque country in Northern Spain where we have spent the last 10 days with my son and his family. Craig just completed an externship in Basque cuisine at a Michelin 2 star restaurant, Zuberoa, in a small town Oiartzun, (oy-art -zun) about 45 mins. by bus from our current base, San Sebastian.  San Sebastian, (pop. 200,000), whose Basque name is Donostia, sits in the primary gastronomy region of Europe, a province whose name is Gipozka (gi-po-ka).

One important comment about the Basques.  They are the oldest continuing ethnic culture remaining in Europe, estimated at 3,500 years.  They have developed a fiercely independent streak over the years, having been invaded by the Romans, Moors, and Visigoths, before the Celts who successfully embraced them.  They were dominated during the Franco dictatorship, and maintain their desire for independence today.. The Basque region is in the Northern quarter of Spain stretching form Portugal on the West through the Pyrenees Mountains to Barcelona on the east.  Gipozka is a capital of the Basque Autonomous Region, where signs and most written language is bilingual (Castilian Spanish and Euskerrian Basque).  Only 40% of the population is estimated today to be ethnic Basque, and the ETA Basque terror group’s influence has been moderated; nevertheless as much autonomy as possible  is still desireable within Spain’s Governmental framework.

Donostia-San Sebastian is also the surfing capital of Europe, whose temperate and humid climate is determined by its location in Northern Spain on the Atlantic Ocean, and lies between 2 other famous resort communities, approx 1 hr. on each side of Donostia.  They are Biarritz, France to the north and Bilbao, Spain to the West.  This is a wonderful area just to come and relax; excellent climate, food, shopping, and of course the siesta from 2-5 daily.

Our blog will document our travels and other important information as we continue trying to expand the products offered in our on-line and Northern Michigan stores, where we strive to exceed our purpose, “Living the Well Lived Life”, and doing so with selections which meet a budget.

Since we are proud parents of 3 successful children and 10 grandchildren, family will creep into our posts as well.  Please feel free to comment, suggest products or travels you have experienced.

Diane and Craig Bell

Bell family at the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao Spain