Spain - a variety of Game of Thrones experiences

Introduction

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This entry into my newest blog site is about a passionate interest of mine, which I got to experience in real life during the time of my year abroad in Spain from September 2016 to June of this year. I say 'real life', because until now I had only seen my interest through a television screen. I am talking of course, about the worldwide phenomenon which is 'Game of Thrones'. Given that Season 7 is well underway (don't worry, this article does not contain any spoilers! ) I feel this is the appropriate time to publish this article.

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Meeting the 'White Wolf' & the 'Onion Knight'

Anyone who knows me will be very aware that I am passionate about everything concerning Game of Thrones, with a variety of House Stark merchandise, such as t-shirts, jumpers, figurines and a Ghost plushie (safe to say I'm a Stark fan! ), many of which I took out to Bilbao with me when I began my year abroad. When I began the working part of my year abroad, one of the many topics I could talk about with a number of my students was the show. Indeed, just over 2 weeks into October I was teaching a class, when one of my teachers came in for a chat. She asked if I was a fan of the show, and when I replied I was, she informed me that the cast of the show were actually spotted filming in Bilbao and other parts of the Basque Country. As it turns out, the setting of the Basque Country is used as the location of Dragonstone, which as many fans know is the castle and ancestrial seat of House Targaryen. This got me very excited, as I was imagining being lucky enough to actually meeting some of my favourite actors and characters from the show. I thought this would just be a dream, as I was sure I would never be so lucky.

However, one day I was walking through Casco Viejo (the old town) and as I passed a bar I noticed a man who looked very much like Liam Cunningham (a. k. a Sir Davos Seaworth), but I was sure I was just seeing things. However, as I turned my head my stomach dropped, as I immediately recognised the man next to him. It was Kit Harington (a. k. a Jon Snow, also my favourite character). I had to do a double take, just to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Usually I am quite confident, however the thought of going over and talking to these famous actors from my favourite show was terrifying me. However, after a couple of minutes I mustered up the courage, went over to them and spoke to them. Even though I was unable to get a photograph with them (due to the possible release of potential spoilers for the upcoming season, but I still managed to get a sneaky photo as proof of meeting them), they were very happy to take the time to speak to me, and to shake my hand. They even complimented me on my t-shirt, which happened to be a House Stark shirt (purely coincidental but amazing at the same time amazing). The memory of meeting Kit and Liam, talking to them and shaking their hands if something that will live with me for the rest of my life.

Travelling the Seven Kingdoms

Aside from meeting some of the actors, I was also very fortunate enough on this year abroad to visit some of the landmarks of the show that are based in a number of different places, not just Bilbao. In February, as a treat to celebrate my 21st birthday, me and my parents took a weekend trip to Barcelona. As part of the experience, we took a trip down to the nearby town of Girona. This was intentional, as my parents found out that there was a number of Game of Thrones experiences to be had in Girona, which I did not actually know about. The first sight was the ancient cathedral in the middle of town, which was used as the Great Sept of Baelor in Kings Landing (I say 'used' because any fan will know that it was blown up at the end of Season 6 by a deranged Cersei Lannister). Thankfully it was not really blown up, and it made for a good photo opportunity.

Another sight that we got to see was a set of stairs that was used by a blind Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) to beg after she was banished from the House of Black and White. Girona was an amazing experience for me, as I got to see these places from the show and I got to stand where a number of famous actors had once stood (or sat, in the case of Arya). Another experience which we had researched was the 'Kingslayer Ice Lolly'. Named after the character of Jaime Lannister( The Kingslayer as he is commonly known in the show), the lolly was in the shape of Jaime's golden hand, coated in gold sprinkles, and when you bit into it the orange and strawberry colour made it look as though it was bleeding (a reference to the fact Jaime lost his hand during season 3). The taste was a bit strong, and left us all with golden lips afterwards, but it was an experience that we could not miss out on, being the fan I am.

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The journey to 'Dragonstone'

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However, the most eye-catching sight that was featured on the show was much closer to home. On my final day in Bilbao and the Basque Country, my parents and I decided we had to go visit the place where they were filming back in October (around the time I met Jon Snow and Davos) And so, after packing my case for the flight home later that evening, we hopped on a bus that took us to the location. Commonly known in the Basque Country as San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (although I tended to call it 'Dragonstone' as it was a lot easier to pronounce) it was truly a sight to behold. However, the walk to the island alone was long and hard, especially with the sun being so hot, and the climb up the steps was just as hard. However, it was worth it, and even now when I am watching Season 7 and I see characters like Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and Jon Snow (Kit Harington) walking or standing on those steps, it reminds me that I have been there, I have climbed those steps just like them and stood where they stood.

Closing remarks

Overall, this year abroad has given me plenty of amazing experiences, such as getting to live in a truly beautiful place like Bilbao, making friends from a variety of different cultures, and getting to see beautiful sights all over Spain. Besides, being in Spain fulfilled a personal dream of mine, as it gave me a chance to visit some of the filming locations from one of my favourite T. V shows, and see the beautiful locations with my own eyes in real life. Not only that, but the fact that I got to meet two of the actors from the show, one of which plays a main character like Jon Snow, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I know it may seem strange to write about Game of Thrones in a blog about a year abroad, but I am willing to bet that not many people will have had the experiences or opportunities that I had.

Therefore, to end this entry, thank you Spain for giving me the chance to live Game of Thrones in real life. The show may end soon, but the memories and photos I have will stay with me forever. I hope to travel to other filming locations all over the world, not just in Spain, because as legendary GoT's character Oberyn Martell once said "It's a big and beautiful world. Most of us live and die in the same corner where we were born and never get to see any of it. I don't want to be most of us. "

Want to know where else Game of Thrones has been filmed? Take a look at this comprehensive guide to the 10 different countries that can be spotted in the background of the iconic series.

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