A week in Bilbao has gone by, and after I report what happened this day, I will conduct a short retrospective of the trip thus far.
Sleeping in longer than the majority of days on the trip, I awoke well rested and ready for a short trip to the flower and flea market. Saioa led us to the old town just outside of Casco Viejo. A long wooden pavilion spanned the street that ran parallel to the river, and shoppers from all around town took shade under this pavilion. Books and little souvenirs filled the aisles of the market as townsfolk all collected to see what their favorite vendors brought this week. Although the collections of books and even comic books in Spanish were impressive (not to mention the ammonite fossil) I felt confident in the souvenirs I had already acquired :). The flowers smelled pretty, and the colors of the plant arrangements complemented the Nervion River. I enjoyed watching families out on their boats on a fine Sunday afternoon and couples rowing effectively toward adventure.
The last attraction of the day was the renowned Bilbao funicular. With our trusty metro cards, we were granted access to the local incline line. The cart was not large, but I would label it cozy. I was disappointed that the view was obstructed a bit by people, but the ride was fun, and the view at the top was spectacular! We all took pictures and had fun spotting all the places we had been from the heights of the Bilbao mountains. Before we departed for the day, we collectively reflected on the trip and recounted the personal and technical highlights. The majority of the conversation was dedicated to the comparison of the US to Spain. One takeaway I agree with from our conversation that I would like to highlight is that the people of Bilbao are very proud of their city and the effectiveness of their system. The healthcare system certainly has a personal aspect that many doctors and nurses bring to patient care. It’s a genuine human interaction, not merely a procedural task.
As I mentioned, I will offer brief thoughts on the trip so far: it’s been great! Bilbao has stuck with its hospitality and flexibility for us Americans. I have certainly developed a deeper, more educated appreciation for the design process and for how the medical and engineering communities collaborate. Engineers must apply their technical knowledge and sympathize with the nurses and other medical staff, and learn from each other’s understanding. The natural scenery surrounding Bilbao and its neighbors is magnificent, and I confidently crown San Juan de Gaztelugatxe the highlight! One week left!