Our day began with a trip to a coffee shop where we were surprised with churros and chocolate! The chocolate came in a coffee mug, but it was thicker than normal hot chocolate, and the churros were not as sweet as the ones you can buy at home. The combination of dipping the churros in the chocolate was immaculate and it was definitely the right start to our Sunday. After our breakfast we made a quick stop in a square where vendors sold small crafts, and I bought a souvenir to bring home!
Next we walked to these pavilions lining the river that runs through Bilbao. There, we walked through a flower and flea market. There, the vendors sold tiny trinkets, jewelry, books, records, and other interesting miscellaneous items. The flower market was one pavilion over, and it was the most beautiful array of flowers, and the air was filled with their scent. There were lots of different flowers. Some tulips here, some lilies there, and even orchids! The weather was so nice and sunny, and I had so much fun walking around the markets with the friends I’ve made this past week.
Our next event on the agenda was a trip up the hill with the funicular. At the top, we got a gorgeous view of the city, and we had a mid-program meeting with everyone. We shared our observations, the things we liked, the things we hadn’t expected, and more. It was incredibly interesting to compare and contrast the healthcare systems of the US and in Bilbao with the rest of the group, as well as hear about what the nursing students noticed from a clinical perspective. It was helpful to reflect on the experiences we’ve had and recognize what concepts and thought processes will be beneficial to apply in my work as a student and a future engineer once we return.
Even though the weather had been perfect earlier in the day, Bilbao couldn’t let us go the day without some pouring rain. So, we took shelter in a pintxos shop to eat some lunch, before navigating back to our hotel. After some well needed rest, our entire group went out to dinner in the evening, and it was another lovely end to our weekend in Spain.
