guess who´s going to basque country this wknd

ME!

Yes, it´s true. If you are not familiar with this place, then please, click on the following link: http://bicigrino.com/images_norte/concha.jpg

I AM SO EXCITED! This will be the first time I travel to northern Spain (I still haven´t been to Barcelona...) and I have no idea what to expect. I have been told that it is completely different than, and even opposite to, the southern coast. I imagine the Basque country as being Andalucia´s responsible older sibling (Andalucia being the crazy irresponsible younger one).

In fact, Andalucia (as well as the rest of Spain) is such a disappointment to the family that the Basque country would prefer not to be associated with them.

Okay, so the family feud has far deeper roots than this. The majority of Spain may be extremely relaxed Epicureans but I think it´s safe to say that this probably has nothing to do with the fact that the Basque Country fights for its independence. In my opinion, it is actually somewhat understandable that they see themselves as a separate nation, holding an identity that displays a different culture, different customs...even a different language (Euskera--which is by no means related to Spanish, and in fact, whose exact origins still remain a mystery). This is not to mention that the oppressive Franco regime, which Spain only recently liberated itself from, did not at all help the situation.

But today the Spanish Basque Country excercises far more freedom than it did in the past. Since the newly democratic Spanish Constitution of 1978, it has run its own centralized government and provincial councils. This region also happens to be the wealthiest in the country...which thus, among other less important reasons, explains why Spain refuses to give it up.

I would say that money causes most problems in life, but what can a poor (literally, crisis-stricken) country do?

That´s all I have time for now. Agur! (goodbye in Euskera)