[Gocamino] The Basques

[Glenn Jilek]

Wendy,


I too was and am still enchanted by the Euskadi (Basques). Euskara, the Basque language is unique and totally different from Spanish.  I met some older Basque pilgrims in Navarette, and they took me to a party at the home of some Basque friends who moved there.  It was very lively with food, drink, singing and dancing, and the most memorable experience of my two Caminos.  You know that Franco tried to stamp out the language making it illegal.  It was kept alive in the confines of the family, and now you will see TV quiz programs where the object of the game is to show your knowledge of Euskara.  The only thing that I learned of the difficult language is that something that sounds like "Vay" means ok or yes. It is also said (by the Basques themselves) that the Basque people are so virtuous because when the devil came to corrupt them, he could never master the language and went away.

 

Oh I also learned about Pacharan (paxaran) that sweet Basque alcoholic treat, which try as I might cannot find in the USA, but will try to bring back next time.

 

Glenn