European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 3, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ornate archways and statues stand at either end of a Bridge connecting the two sides of the City. Several Bridges Span the Drumea River which enters into the Bay. This one links the old town with part of the business District of the More modern City. Continued from Page 5 the West end of la Concha is the magnificent Miramar Palace and gardens former summer residence of the Spanish Royal family. Perhaps the most striking things about san Sebastian is its Par like atmosphere. Streets Are clean swept and bordered by tamarind and plane Trees buildings tastefully designed and Well maintained. One reason for the immaculate boulevards and understated elegance is undoubtedly the City s continuing popularity As a summer playground for the Rich and famous. There Are no shabby neighbourhoods in san Sebastian. And nowhere is there any sign of the de spoliation a pollution and Industrial debris a found along the shorelines of Many port cities. It is a compact City with virtually no Urban sprawl. The surrounding Green Foothills of the pyrenees give it the feel of an outpost amid the Countryside. And because of its size and the prevalent Ocean breezes the air is clean and redolent of the sea. According to tourist director Rafael Aguirre san Sebastian attracts Between 800,000 and 1 million visitors a year. For some Aguirre says it is a convenient Stopover Point Quot Halfway on the route from Paris to  but Many others come for the beaches the Many City sponsored festivals and the distinctive Basque cuisine. An interesting feature of san Sebastian society is the More than 100 clubs dedicated to cooking and eating Good food. These All male Sociedade populates o Castron Micas each with some 40 to 80 members meet about twice a week to Cook and Sample various dishes. Aguirre who belongs to one of the oldest clubs says Many of the dishes include fish. A typical san Sebastiane eats some 40 kilograms 88 pounds of fish per year nearly three times the National average in France and six times that of an average German. Most of the restaurant menus feature fish entrees. In addition to Fine dining san Sebastia ners place a lot of importance on Active sports Aguirre says. Among the activities available in addition to surfing and swimming Are sailing windsurfing shooting Riding fishing and Pelota the name for Jai Alai in Spain. Despite centuries of belonging to the Spanish nation san Sebastian like much of the Basque Region has retained a Strong Independent Streak and a sense of its own identity. Aguirre estimates that about half the population Speaks the Basque language. The Down Side of this is that the City has sometimes been the target of terrorist acts by Eta the Basque terrorist organization. No one should visit san Sebastian without seeing it from above. All three mountains offer wonderful Scenic overviews of the City. The most spectacular is from the top of mount Geldo which can be reached either by a winding Road or funicular. The Mountaintop itself has been spoiled somewhat by a cafe restaurant a min amusement Park and a hotel. But at dusk the minor Honky Tonk cannot mar the perfect Panorama of the Bay and the City glimmering with the first lights of evening. Down the coast in the other direction the View is Wilder with Green Meadows and Cliffs dropping to the sea. The City Hall once a Casino stands near the j is j a Side Street opens onto one of the City s churches. 6 stripes Magazine october 3, 1991