Café Iruña was founded in 1888 and is located in the Plaza del Castillo of Pamplona. This is an…read moreimportant historic site in itself, as it exudes local culture and tradition, and apparently was one of the first places in the City to be lit by electricity. This is Center City and the Sunday were were here, all the book sale booths in the square were in full operation and the place was buzzing with activity. Iruña is the Basque name for Pamplona, which is also a main thoroughfare for the Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago (French Route) as they descend from the Pyrenees, and of course a famous place for the "Running of Bulls".
Gayle and I sat outside to enjoy our coffee, to watch the world walk by, and to meet a tour guide. Our informative Basque guide immediately lit up when we told him that we were from Nevada, as that were a lot of Basque people ended up. After showing us the comfortable historic main Cafe room, he led us to a smaller ornate room that also serves as a monument to Ernest Hemingway. We had previously been to Hemingway's former home in Havana Cuba, so experiencing another siting of this famous author was a real treat. So was the opportunity to experience this iconic "coffee shop" and the various local and global folks who linger here for the moment.
