There and Back Again...but much too quick

San Sebastian is one of the most beautiful seacoast cities in all of Europe...and also one of the furthest away from Madrid. Our group, ready to go on a weekend trip to San Sebastian, arrived slowly, each new arrival appearing with his suitcases out of the darkness to join the ever-increasing mass sitting under the streetlamp. About 830, we were all on our way, though the excitement soon gave way to utter exhaustion and the bus became quiet. After several breaks and hundreds of kilometers, the bus made its first stop, Biarritz an amazing French seaside town in the Basque region. The views were spectacular and the town was also quaint and still bustling even though the tourist season is ending. We then drove a bit longer until we reached the French mountain town of Epelette, which is known for its famous peppers, festooned on the facades of village houses to dry. That night, we finally arrived at San Sebastian, going to dinner in a restaurant with enormous cider barrels, and four courses of everything from salad with eels and anchovies, to grilled steak, to the famous local cider. That evening, most crashed at the hotel, tired from an entire day in the bus, ready to conquer San Sebastian beach and old town tomorrow. Around 10 the next morning, the group walked down the hill to the beaches below. Two mountains act as beacons guarding the harbor, and both were scaled that day, the first in a funicular the other by foot to the castle and statue above. The old town was centered around the town hall, formerly a casino on the beach, and filled with local bars famed for their regional tapas and cider. We were even able to see the Aquarium and then relaxed on the beach till the sun fell from view. At the hotel, many changed their day clothes in preparation for the clubs, but not me. I decided with three friends (around half past one in morning) to walk down to the beach with a blanket and to sit and talk because it was our final night there. The beach was entirely deserted when Chrissy, Soraya, Hieu, and me arrived at the beach and, the blanket laid out, we all took off our shoes and socks, rolled up our jeans and waded into the water. The only sound we could hear was the crashing of the waves and we all went back to the blanket to lie down, breathing the fresh sea air and relishing a weekend free from any responsibility. Around 3 am the wind picked up and it began to rain, so the four of us decided to head back to the hotel, excited about taking hot showers and sleeping until noon. The following day, we left the hotel, a bit mournful, and headed back towards Madrid, stopping at the medieval town of Burgos for lunch on the way. The rest of the trip back was quiet, many students anticipating the return to Madrid with excitement, but, for me, the trip back was quite saddening. San Sebastian and Southern France have such a magic about them, that it is hard not to regret leaving them so soon.