Week 3: San Sebastián 🌊

After a 5-hour train ride, I finally arrived in Hendaye. Fun fact: the name sounds a lot like “Hentai,” but luckily the “H” is silent! 🙊 This is the gateway to Spain, where I hopped on the Euskotren—a charming narrow-gauge railway—to reach San Sebastián. 🚉

By the time I pulled into San Sebastián, it was late and raining. 🌧️ The humid air and the city’s initial vibe actually reminded me a lot of Thailand! 🇹🇭

My first meal? A simple salad paired with my first-ever Dr. Pepper. Honestly? Not a fan. 🥤🚫

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City Vibes & AI Guides 🤖

The next morning, the weather cleared up beautifully. This is exactly the European city aesthetic I was hoping for! ✨

The local beaches are a canvas; you can find artists creating intricate sand drawings that change day by day. 🏖️🎨

I used Doubao (豆包) and Gemini as my personal tour guides while wandering the streets. 📱

Day 1	Day 2

The verdict? Doubao is more chatty with information, while Gemini feels more intuitive to interact with. However, you always have to fact-check! Doubao tried to convince me a regular tree was a sculpture. I’m pretty sure it was just… a tree. 🌳😂

And the network signal was not very stable. Sometime you lost connection while shopping. 🛍️

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Surfing & Game of Thrones ⚔️🏄‍♂️

San Sebastián also served as a filming location for HBO’s Game of Thrones. Walking along the coast, the rugged landscape feels instantly familiar. 🐉

As a huge surfing fan, I was in heaven. Even at 15°C, the water was filled with surfers catching waves. 🏄‍♂️❄️ The Old Town is packed with cool surf shops and local character.

Surfers in the mist	Surf Shop Vibes

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Local Flavors & Fond Farewells 🍤

Forget giant malls—this city is all about small kiosks, cozy sandwich spots, and bars serving incredible Pintxos. Finally, some fresh seafood! 😋

Fresh Bites	Pintxos Paradise

My stay at the hostel was amazing. Before checking out, I left a little note featuring the game I’m developing: Grandpa’s Bee Haven. 🐝🎮

I hope a fellow traveler finds it and gives it a play!