For the Basque #85: Abenduaren 3a and the fight to keep Basque alive

I have so much to say and at the same time very little since I'm exhausted. 30 miles walked in 3 days, and back at tomorrow - you'll understand in a bit.
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When I first started teaching Basque in 2015, I was living in Hendaia, France (Iparraldean - in the Northern Basque Country). My students were all in Rocklin, California. We met over Skype first before I switched to Zoom (btw, I was using Zoom in 2016 well before 2020 😅).
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We met at 5am my time in Europe, which meant 8pm in California. I'd have kafea - coffee and they'd have ardo beltza - red wine with pintxoak.
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I'm a night owl so the only time I enjoyed seeing 5am was when I was younger and I'd spend the night in Jaiak in the Basque Country. Even now, I might not stay out late but I prefer to work late at night when it's quiet around me.
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So 5am was a huge sacrifice for me! I did it for my heritage, my family, the Basque Language & the students who needed a Basque teacher.
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And I know more than ever as I write you on abenduaren 3a - December 3rd, that I will keep working and doing my part to keep Basque alive.
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Right now I'm literally on the lines for myself and other teachers in my school district. Something I never imagined doing in my career: greba egiten - striking.

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Yet, I realized while walking 10 miles today that I've been doing it all along since I heard as kid, "you don't need Basque in this Country.""
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I love working with Basque learners, I love talking about my Basque heritage, I love fighting to keep Basque alive. A language & heritage that others tried to wipe out has survived into 2025. And I wish I had time to do more so I give what I can!
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What are you doing to keep the Basque language & Basque heritage alive? Let me know, I wanna read your stories not about the drama that is unfolding in Moses Lake as we continue striking for Day 4.