After a fairly ordinary sleep, I set off from Ribadesella. A little over 200kms along the coast road got me to Bilbao. The ride was pleasant and the scenery at times was breathtaking. The mountains in this coastal stretch, erupt from the beach and stand tall over the sea. The area is as green as anywhere I have seen this trip. There is a lot of highway building going on adjacent to the existing road. Bridges, tunnels and cuttings are being done by men in fluorescent jump suits. Coming into Bilbao, it becomes obvious, how well the economy seems to be doing compared to the south of Spain. The river that splits the town in half is dotted with shiny high rise buildings and is crossed by at least four bridges. This is probably the busiest week of the year for the people of this city. It is fiesta week. After checking into my fiesta priced hotel, I set off for the Guggenheim museum. Not really sure what to expect, I paid the 13€ entrance fee and picked up the included audio guide. The museum is three stories high and is made mostly of titanium, glass and concrete. Housed inside, are works of art from around the world. Picasso, Warhol, Polke, Rauschenberg, Rosenquist and many others, have their art hung on the walls. Pop art selection was pretty good, There was a special exhibit running when I was there that focused on French artists before during and after the German occupation. A good chance to show some more Picasso. After a solid 5 hours of staring at paintings, trying to look like I knew what I was doing, I headed out the door. Outside the mercury had jumped up to 38•C and made for a pleasant stroll down the riverbank. Being that there was a festival on, the city is alive with tents selling beer, playing music, selling morsels of food and things for kids to do. As I neared the old town there was a rope placed across the river and people watched as young men tried to walk from one side to the other balancing on it. I saw one guy make it across the 50 odd meters. The enthusiastic crowd clapped him on. This area is proudly basque. About half the people here, have a blue and white handkerchief tied around their necks. It seems the men here are very much into the macho thing. Wood chopping, strong man comps etc. Mountain people I guess. After a siesta it was time to head out and see my local neighborhood. Everyone sitting out of their homes on front steps escaping the heat having beers and talking. By this time it had occurred to me that I had eaten very little and was hungry. The problem was that none of the Spanish restaurants were open at this time. Chinese food it is. Never known a Chinese place to turn down an honest buck! It was actually very good, but I felt a little dirty eating Chinese food in a Spanish cultural Capitol. Anyhow tomorrow the bull fights. Ole!