If you see this woman, run!

I haven't posted much lately because I've been a binge -- a glutinous foodie binge -- through San Sebastian on the Northern coastal border of Spain.

San Sebastian is one of the most beautiful small cities I've ever seen. Where else will you find a delightful grid of narrow cobblestone streets, filled with charming shops and fantastic restaurants, next to some of the finest beaches in Europe? As one guide book put it: It's impossible to lay eyes on San Sebastian and not fall madly in love!  One reason people feel the love is that the city is known to have the best pintxos, a variety of small appetizers, in the world.  Most pintxos are composed of a slice of bread with some delicious concoction on top.   Eating pintxos is accomplished by dropping into the bar that looks best to you, and choosing from a vast "buffet" of treats laid out on the bar.   Check this out:

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Just one thing to be aware of: a little drink called Txacoli (Jacques-oh-Lee).  This regional "wine" looks, to the untrained eye, like a cava or a champagne and tastes somewhat like Pinot Grigio.  Watching it be poured -- just one or two stingy inches -- into a rocks glass, is entertainment in itself.  The bartender takes the bottle up high and leaves the glass on the bar.  This is what she looks like:

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Sometimes she yells: Txacoli!

One can easily wonder what all the fuss is about for such a tiny glass of wine.  One can easily order two more tiny glasses while eating some of the best appetizers ever on the planet!  And, I've heard, one can even find herself face down on her bed with her shoes on in the late afternoon wondering what the heck happened...I'm just saying.