Name: バスクの国 (Basque Country)
Uploaded: 2021-01-14T05:29:25.000Z
Duration: 24 min 57 s
Description: VoiceTubeの動画で発音を聞きながら英語表現を覚えよう！学べる英語：

Hi. I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. This time we're in for a stunning

array of cultural treats - and it's more than just great food.

The land of the Basque people is one of Europe's "nations without a state." Its territory is

split between France and Spain. With a stubborn spirit and an industrious nature, the Basques

celebrate their rich heritage while embracing the future.

We'll enjoy the classic Basque experiences in the classic Basque places - sunny beaches,

spectacular modern architecture, tasty tapas, charming villages, venerable men's clubs,

a dramatic coastline, and a lightning-fast sport.

When they drew the national borders of Europe, the Basque nation was left out. While you

won't see this country on standard Europe maps, Basque people define their land like

this, bounded by the Pyrenees Mountains and the Atlantic coast. We start in San Sebastián,

tour Guernica and Bilbao, and finish in the French part of Basque Country, visiting Bayonne

The independent-minded Basques are notorious for being headstrong. But, as a culturally

and linguistically unique land surrounded by bigger and stronger nations, the Basques

have learned to compromise while maintaining their identity.

Much unites the Spanish and French Basque regions: They share a striking Atlantic coastline

with communities reaching far into the Pyrenees. They have the same flag, similar folk music

and dance, and a common language, spoken by about half-a-million people. And both, after

some struggles, have been integrated by their respective nations. The French Revolution

quelled French Basque ideas of independence. And in the 20th century, Spain's General Franco

attempted to tame his own separatist-minded Basques.

But in the last generation, things are improving. The long-suppressed Basque language is enjoying

a resurgence. And, because the European Union is interested in helping small ethnic regions

as well as big countries, the Basques are enjoying more autonomy.

So, just who are the Basques? Sure, you can still find a few beret-capped shepherds that

fit the traditional cliché. But the vast majority of Basques are modern and relatively

prosperous city dwellers. Widespread Spanish and French immigration has made it difficult

to know who actually has Basque ethnic roots. Locals consider anyone who speaks the Basque

If you know where to look, Basque customs are strong and lively...perhaps nowhere moreso

than in one of their favorite sports, called jai alai. Players use a long wicker basket

to whip a ball, smaller and far harder than a baseball, off walls at more than 150 miles

For less adrenalin but just as much Basque culture, there's the institution of the men's

gastronomic club. These clubs are common throughout Basque Country and range from the more working

class communal kitchen type of place to the fairly highbrow more exclusive version with

extensive wine cellars, and gastronomic libraries.

The clubs serve several functions: Traditionally, Basque society is matrilineal - women run

the show at home. These provide a men's night out. It's also a place where friends who've

known each other since grade school can enjoy quality time together, speaking Basque, and

savoring traditional ways in an ever faster world. And, it's a place where men cook together

and celebrate the famed Basque culinary traditions.

While much of Basque region is in France, most of the land, industry, and people are

in Spain. And many consider Spanish Basque culture to be feistier and more colorful than

that of the more integrated French Basques.

The leading tourist destination in Spain's Basque Country is San Sebastián. Shimmering

above its breathtaking bay, elegant and prosperous San Sebastián - or Donostia as locals call

their town - is your best home base for exploring Basque Country.

With its romantic setting on the sea, lively Old Town, and its soaring statue of Christ

gazing over the city, San Sebastián has a mini-Rio de Janeiro aura.

Its shell-shaped Playa de la Concha, the pride of San Sebastián, boasts one of Europe's

loveliest stretches of sand. While sunbathers pack its shores in the summer, the elegant

promenade is pleasantly devoid of commercialism.

For a century, the promenade's wrought-iron balustrade has been a symbol of the city;

it shows up on everything, from headboards to jewelry.

In the 1840s, Spain's Queen Isabel II was a regular here on the beach. Her doctors recommended

she treat her skin problems by bathing here in the sea. Spain's aristocracy took note,

and soon San Sebastián was on the map as a seaside resort.

By the turn of the 20th century, San Sebastián was the toast of the belle époque, and a

leading resort for Europe's beautiful people. Hotels, theaters, and casinos flourished.

Even the anti-Basque dictator of Spain, Franco, enjoyed 35 summers here in a place he was

sure to call not "Donostia," but "San Sebastián."

Huddled under its once-protective hill, is the Old Town. This is where San Sebastián

was born about a thousand years ago. Its port, while sleepy today, has long hosted the town's

hard-working fishing boats. Because the town was almost entirely rebuilt after an 1813

fire, its architecture is generally Neoclassical and uniform. Still, the grid plan of streets

hides surprises: ornate Baroque and Gothic churches, delightful plazas, and shops offering

Local guide Itsaso Petrikorena is joining me so my window shopping will take on some

meaning, such as the importance of salted cod.

Itsaso: This shop is all about cod. It's very, very important for the Basque culture. Salted

cod has been part of our culture, economy, and daily food. Historically, sailors used

to have it in their boats. Now it's a very, very big part of our cultural heritage as

well as our gastronomy. Rick: What is the word in Basque?

Itsaso: Bakailu. Rick: Like Spanish, bacalao.

Itsaso: Bakailu. Rick: And what is the recipe?

Itsaso: The recipe, you have to soak it in water for 48 hours.

Rick: So I can't just take it now and eat it.

Itsaso: No, I'm afraid not. Rick: Have to wait.

But there are plenty of taste treats you can eat right now. Shops show how, with the fertile

Itsaso: You are going to love this. Rick: Why?

Itsaso: The cheese, idiazabal cheese, mixing with walnuts and apple jelly. Altogether.

Rick: Altogether? Itsaso: Beautiful flavor.

Rick: Let's have some. The three things together here?

Itsaso: Yes. A piece of these. Some walnuts. And we finish with some sweet, in this case

is apple jam. Rick: So it's sheep cheese from the mountains,

Rick: Altogether? Itsaso: It's a good combination. This is a

very traditional dessert here in the Basque land.

Rick: You have the salty and the sweet and the Basque cheese. How do you say "delicious"

Rick: So tell me about this marijuana store. Itsaso: Well, in Spain, it is illegal to sell

it, but you can grow it at home, but only for your own personal use.

Rick: Okay, so this shop would sell seeds and tools to help you grow at home.

As is the case in more and more countries, low key shops cater to the needs of locals