Miwa's visit

I don't have many photos, but these three are thanks to Miwa and Paul. At the airport, from the balcony of our hotel room in Bayonne, France and the other at the airport, the despedida :(... The second two are both cell phone shots ;)

Miwa visited and it was so wonderful! We had day trips in the AM (because I had to work in the afternoons) during the week. With a whirlwind tour of Bilbao, Donosti-San Sebastian and Gernika, the week flew by. I wanted more time in all of them and wanted to be able to show Miwa more, as it was her first time in Europe and the Basque Country.
We spent Friday night in Bayonne, famous for the Fete de Bayonne, chocolateries, and the cathedral. It was May 1st on Saturday so nearly everything was closed, as it is a national holiday, Labour Day, but we did have some delicious chocolate Macaroons and saw a political parade. A gentleman spoke to me in French and then in Basque and gave me his handout for the parade. I told him, “Merci”. He indicated the website for us to come to a party or event or something.
The hotel was adorable, Hotel Des Arceaux right in the middle of downtown. Everything was very audible, but the receptionist were darling and helpful. Miwa and I visited several different chocolateries and I really am a fan of macaroons now. There was also a dinner by the river with an interesting experience of trying to understand the waitress in French, with a few awkward moments, and the large morning marché by the river, Les Halles, where we bought fresh strawberries, deliciously sweet, so sweet several Worms had already feasted before us. But we followed it by some brioche and macaroons and were craving veggies by the time we arrived back in Éibar. A week full of site-seeing and good jamon and laughter. Miwa was learning some very useful Spanish and a few French things, such as "equipo Simpson" or team Simpson, she could use it in the street.
It was great to play tourist and remember some of the wonderful things in the area where I currently reside, but it was even more of a treat to have a soul sister to spend a few days with. (Many of my closer friends here as males.) I absolutely adore Miwa’s artful humor and ability to make so many situations hilarious. She is an adorable Japanese woman with a smart head on her shoulders and a good heart. Thanks for all the laughs Miwa!