In Basque Country, when several families come together to form a special bond for life, it is are called koadrilla. The koadrillas may buy or build a place to accommodate large get togethers to socialize and share meals together, the place is called a gastronomical society. We were invited to a very special dinner with a family who has sent 2 students to the Summer in the USA program. Juanan has gone twice, Javier came this summer and Pablo is looking forward to coming when he is old enough.
The father is an architect and designed the interior of the Zubimusu Elkartea in which we had our meal. It was beautifully crafted. It looks like a restaurant inside, but it is specifically designed to allow the members to get access to linen, plates, utensils, glasses, food, drink, etc. when they host an event. You sign up for the tables you need and make sure the food and drink you want is there. There is a kitchen where the men mostly do the cooking. They have a society flag which hangs in a glass case on the wall along with other items documenting a rich history. One picture is of a piece of goal post from a famous soccer stadium which was built in 1913 and torn down in 1999.
We were asked to arrive at the nomal dinner time in Basque Country,9:00pm. Yes, 9 in the evening. It is still consdered afteroon until 7 or 8pm. The whole family joined in setting the table, serving and waiting on us hand and foot. When the evening was finished, we all helped put the dishes away on shelves and the table cloths and napkins in a bin where the hired staff would come in the morning and clean. Now, that is the way to have a celebration!
The evening was perfecto!
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