White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1930-12-05
prepared by the National Geographic
Society WASHINGTON ID. C.)

prepared by the National Geographic
Society. Washington. D. c.
II TOW city awakes is one of the
- most outstanding characteris-
l. i tics by which traveller can
catalogue It,
Bilbao, on the northern coast OF
Spain, has certain noises and activi-
ties all it's own. When most northern
Spanish cities wake up in the morn
Ing certain fixed and recognized noises
are heard, certain events transpire,
and certain movements of the popu-
Iation take place, and in Spain some
how these little incidents differ con-
siderally from similar ones taking
place at the same hour in other coun-
tries.
The whistle of locomotives is heard
announcing the departure OF early
trains and in Spain the best trains,
apparently with fixed intent, manage
to depart at about five o'clock. Tiny
electric cars rumble through narrow
streets and across the plazas, under
the dusty palm trees tinkling their
little brass bells, or perhaps they
haven't any bell at ALL the conductor
simply blowing from time to time a
small tin horn as sign of warning.
The worker appears on the streets
with his long blue blouse hanging to
the knees, hurrying along noiselessly
In his alpargatas, like canvas tennis
shoes with soles of coiled rope and
his boina tiny blue cap with no
visor, like small tam-o'- shanter, with
a piece of string an inch long replac-
ing the pompon, set at a rakish angle.
Shops Open, People Appear.
In the older parts Of the town the
iron curtain covering both door and
single window of the little stores,
taverns, and wine shops Of the poorer
classes is pushed up with rattle
and the place is then open for bust
ness. The church bells call the faith
full to early mass, and among them
are many women CARRIED in black,
further intensified by the black man
tilla over head and shoulders, who
slip like shadows through the early
morning light.
Movement commences along the wa
terfront, where the rattle of donkey
engine is heard, the clanking of large
chains, and the hoarse cries of the
second mates starting their gangs at
the days work of cargo-handling.
All that takes place in any of the
Spanish cities on the MAR Canta-
brico," as the Bay of Biscay is called
in the mother tongue. But at Bilbao
there are two incidents that occur in
the early morning which apparently
are unique to this, the largest Of the
BASQUE cities of Spain.
Number one. The oil lamps of the
anguleros are extinguished. Now,
anguleros are fishermen who since
midnight have been engaged in pc
culiar branch Of the fisherman's art.
They have been catching angulas, and
angulas, in turn, are very peculiar
brand of fsh-little white, almost
transparent worms (perhaps 1t would
sound better to call them miniature
eels), only two inches long. When a
batch of them is fried. however, in
olive oil and served in an earthenware
dish, with the oil still popping when
brought to the table, most connois-
seurs will agree that there is method
in the anguleros apparent madness.
This delicacy inhabits the River Ner-
Won and is caught along the stone
walls of the quays, being attracted in
to nets by the fishermens oil lamps
Women Stevedores Of Bilbao.
Number two The shrieks of bare
footed, illy-clothed women stevedores
are heard.
This requires the explanation that
Bilbao, the most important port of
Spain after Barcelona, derives it's
prominence from the heavy outward
bound traffic in iron ore from nearby
mines and the CORRESPONDENCE heavy
imports Of Goals from Newcastle to
furnish fuel for the many Basque in
dustries.