study abroad adventures

Amanda / USC / Bilbao, Spain / Spring '16 / Forever conflicted between eating everything and still wanting to be able to climb rocks

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PARIS, FRANCE | The most expensive but also the best macaroons I've ever eaten

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PARIS, FRANCE | Haven't posted in a while so it's time to catch up! A shot from a beautiful day at the Louvre a few weeks ago.

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PARIS, FRANCE | The view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe is definitely worth the 284 steps we climbed to get to the top!

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EL TILO DE MAMA LOU, BILBAO | If you're missing the artisan cupcake bakeries that have taken over the US, Mama Lou's is the place to go in Bilbao. A mixed berry cupcake and cafe con leche makes for the perfect afternoon snack. If you're not into cupcakes, the speculaas cheesecake also looks delicious!

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SAN JUAN DE GATZELUGATXE, ESPAÑA | If you're going to hike up all 261 steps to reach the top of the island, you're going to need some fuel. Luckily, we had some chocolate covered palmeritas on hand to hold us over!

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SAN JUAN DE GATZELUGATXE, ESPAÑA | Head out to the coast of Bakio, a small town in the Basque Country, to find steps leading to the enchanting island of San Juan de Gatzelugate. Built in the early 1000's this island has been used as a castle, housed a monastery, been the site of battles and even protected the city from pirates! Today, however, its most well known as being where HBO shot several episodes for the next season of Game of Thrones!

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BILBAO, ESPAÑA | A double rainbow peeking through the rain clouds today. Even on a rainy day the Guggenheim manages to look pretty!

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PASTELERÍA MARTINA DE ZURICALDAY, BILBAO, ESPAÑA | This bakery is one of the most well known in Bilbao and specializes in local favorites, including the Carolina (a marshmallow cream puff kind of thing, Google a picture to be amazed) and bollo de mantequilla (butter roll). Today, however, I opted for a coffee eclair and chocolate palmier cookie (not pictured). You can't go wrong with any visit to this bakery, but the locals know that the time to go on Tuesdays, when everything is half price and a line stretches out the door!

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SANTANDER, CANTABRIA, ESPAÑA | Our next stop on our weekend romp through the coast was Santander, the capital of the Cantabria region and home to breathtaking views and a stunning coastline. 

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BIARRITZ, FRANCE | Possible one of the prettiest man-made photo ops we’ve come across yet! Steps lead up to this doorway to the sea, from which you can see the lighthouse, coast and boats in the distance. 

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BIARRITZ, FRANCE | If you look closely you can see a seagull perched on top of a statue of the Virgin Mary that sits on top of rocks at the edge of the coast. This is definitely not something you would see in California!

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BIARRITZ, FRANCE | Taking in the views and the fresh sea air - makes me miss the California coast but also reminds me how lucky I am to be studying abroad in a city so close to the ocean. 

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BAYONNE, FRANCE | If you have tiny streets, you’re going to need tiny busses to get through them! It’s quite a site to see the tiny, brightly colored electric busses weave their way through the cobblestone streets and centuries year old buildings. 

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HARO, LA RIOJA, ESPAÑA | Haro, home of some of Spain’s oldest wineries, is the perfect setting for a morning wine tasting tour. At Bodega Gomez Cruzado our group learned more than we ever thought possible about how the Spaniards perfect their vino! 

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BILBAO, ESPAÑA | If you’re looking for my friends and I after class, there’s a 99% chance you’ll find us at a pintxo bar eating something yummy that we probably don’t know the name of.

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GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO, ESPAÑA

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GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM, BILBAO, ESPAÑA | The art on the outside of the Guggenheim is just as captivating as the interior exhibits.