A New Generation of Aizkorri Enthusiasts
September 2024, a new generation of Aizkorri lovers arrived one month ago. Last year we struggled to convince a few sheep… Erasmus to join our adventure. This semester, our success is beyond every crazy expectation. People signed the devilish Aizkorri Berri contract without any kalimotxo influence, neither any idea of what the contract said nor what “Aizkorri Berri” means.
Setting Out to Aralar Natural Park
For our first expedition, Zdravko and I decided to avoid alternative paths, cliff-ways, and other charming nights in a natural fridge.
Aralar Natural Park, at the heart of the Basque Country—was there a greater place to feel the Basque spirit, step on its green highlands, and smell the pure air enhanced by the flavorful rustic perfume of Latxa sheep shit?
After exploring the supermarket of Beasain and enjoying the impressive view of Txindoki from the city train station, our four cars started climbing the snaky battlefield path leading to the lake of Lareo.
The Sarastarri Cave Expedition
From there, our first step was visiting the cave of Sarastarri, picking up mushrooms along the way. We easily remembered where the entrance of this cave was despite the fog and our legendary orientation abilities.
Every semester brings surprises, and none of them are the same. This year, our lovely group was not only crazy and suicidal but also musical. The echo of the cave offered them a perfect production room for composing their first album, “Concerto for Cavemen,” inspired by the muddy atmosphere toward a froggy-friendly sound.
Meanwhile, our guinea pigs Antonia and Ander (the architect) opened the way for new vertical underground worlds not even known by local bats.
Crossing the Muddy Abyss
For the first time in recent history, humans crossed the lake giving access to the right gallery. This performance was enabled by some unexpected circumstances, as the writer of this report was first invited by the mud to take a small bath in the Styx.
Unfortunately, no hell gates were waiting for us after crossing such a cozy spa. Climbers and swimmers had to return to the other side and try to put back their muddy, humid, and rotten clothes while feeling hungry. Basque xirimiri was a great shower, nevertheless.
Going back to the car, some of us got lost, probably confused by the beauty of the forest.
The Ascent to Igaratza Refuge
Despite this small accident, we managed not to hike in the dark (only the last km). Horses, sheep, pigs—most of the domestic wildlife crossed our way up to join the refuge of Igaratza.
The golden hour woke up basic instincts and revealed a complementary law to Newton’s theory: apples fall down; humans climb up. But humans can also fall down from high expectations. We ensured all the way that the refuge should be empty, given that a few people knew this place and would enjoy it outside of summer.
Arriving there, some light inside the refuge destroyed our theories, and we had to find an alternative.
Seeking Shelter in a Private Refuge
Ibai and the writer of these lines decided to ask the private refuge nearby if there was any possibility of sleeping there. They kindly accepted, asking as the only compensation that we speak Basque. This point was not an issue as we were carrying a few bottles of cider and patxaran—which delivered Basque B1 and aizkolari abilities to any non-native drinker.
They kindly offered us to share their mushroom omelet and prepared a warm soup for our freezing bodies. To thank them, we spread a huge garlic smell throughout the house and burned the kitchen top with a txistorra flambée.
By luck, our lovely landlords were already in the clouds of another steam, and they didn’t react too badly when they understood that the small pyramid of ashes painted with some orange shining fatty lines on the floor was the last souvenir of their dear kitchen.
On the contrary, they looked at us with nostalgia, thinking about this amazing word “Erasmus” they had never experienced. In a way, we offered them this experience for one night, and some fat on the walls and ashes on the floor are not an unfair price for it.
