Cadiz: Love at first sight

Cadiz: Love at first sight

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I fell in love with Cádiz (pronounced KAH-deeth) at first sight. I’d never heard of this little city on the Atlantic coast, but all the Spaniards I’ve talked to recommend it highly, and I’m glad I listened. As far as I can tell, this is where Spaniards come to enjoy being Spaniards.

My little room. High ceilings, lots of light. My hostess loaned me her yoga mat, it lives in front of the windows now.
My little room. High ceilings, lots of light. My hostess loaned me her yoga mat, it lives in front of the windows now.

Looking up from the lobby, you can see right into our apartment! Walking from my bedroom to the kitchen, I would go along this internal 'balcony.'
Looking up from the lobby, you can see right into our apartment! Walking from my bedroom to the kitchen, I would go along this internal ‘balcony.’
The street in front of my house. This direction leads to the plaza.
The street in front of my house. This direction leads to the plaza.
The plaza is surrounded by historic buildings with peaches-and-cream paint jobs. Beyond this plaza is another one. Then another.
The plaza is surrounded by historic buildings with peaches-and-cream paint jobs. Beyond this plaza is another one. Then another.

After a cup of coffee in the plaza, I headed to the market. I thought I’d get some produce and maybe chicken to cook for dinner. Silly me — this market is one block from the ocean. Chicken is not their specialty.

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I walked to the market, thinking I'd get some produce, and

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I bought  a salmon fillet for dinner. I’ll try to be more adventurous next time. The amazing thing is that the fish is so fresh, there’s not a whiff of odor along these aisles. I found a sushi stand for lunch. Yummm.

I dropped my fish & fresh veggies off at home, but the sun was coming out, so I decided to go for a walk along the sea wall.

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Turning left from my apartment, the ocean is only two blocks away.
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Fishing is common along the sea wall.
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Somewhere on the other side of that ocean, beyond the sea monsters and the edge of the earth, are my friends and family.
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I need to learn more about these massive trees, they are incredible!
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Orange blossoms scent the whole area.

I looked at my map and wondered if I could walk as far as the castle and beach. My hip is still aching, and I’m limping. I almost went home, but then I thought… it’s Saturday. What else do I have to do? I’ll just go slowly. I’m so glad I did. Here’s what I saw on the way there.

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More of the beautiful landscaped walk

 

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Really, Cadiz? Now you’re just showing off.
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The garden pictured above is mostly full of the sound of water trickling in the scores of fountains tucked under the tree. But there’s also a sound exhibit – every third tree or so is wired, and you hear voices reciting poetry, literature, drama and great speeches from Costa Rica as you walk through.
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Of course, there’s a place to get a beer at the end of the park. Because SPAIN!
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Found the castle! Actually, there are two of them.
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More fishermen. I really want to get a fishing pole, a bicycle, and a little dog and  live in Cadiz.
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The beach is very quiet today. Maybe tomorrow I’ll come back with sandals and capris so I can at least stick my feet in the water. I found a bench and read for a while here.

 

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Spotted this stunning building, but I haven’t visited it yet.

I’ll leave you with a bit of Cadiz history, in case you’re interested
“Cadiz stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay, and is almost entirely surrounded by water.

Named Gadir by the Phoencians, who founded their trading post in 1100 BC, it was later controlled by the Carthaginians, until it became a thriving Roman port.

It sank into oblivion under the Visigoths and Moors, but attained great splendour in the early 16th century as a launching point for the journey to the newly discovered lands of America.

Cadiz was later raided by Sir Francis Drake, in the struggle to gain control of trade with the New World, and managed to withstand a siege by Napoleon’s army.

In the early 19th century Cadiz became the bastion of Spain’s anti-monarchist, liberal movement, as a result of which the country’s first Constitution was declared here in 1812.”

Published by Lauren

I'm a nomadic freelance writer, out enjoying the world!

6 Comments

  • Rita

    March 23, 2014 at 8:55 am

    Thanks for the refresher course of Cadiz; your photos are great; I should have taken more of one of my favorite cities in Spain.

  • Lauren

    March 23, 2014 at 9:25 am

    Hard to know where to point your camera here! It’s one of my favorites as well.

  • Sue Guetterman

    March 25, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous pictures, Lauren!!!

    The large tree looks like a banyan tree. They are so interesting. I have seen furniture made from them.

    The fish market and shrimp look a little better than what you had on your plate a few days ago!!!

    Glad you can finally catch your breath for awhile.

    Sue

  • Beth

    April 2, 2014 at 6:29 pm

    Hi Lauren – I have been thinking of traveling to Cadiz from St. Louis in May for a short trip. What is the name of the place you stayed and do you have a contact number. About how much was it? I would be going in late May. Also, how did you get there (flight to where, then bus, taxi?) I’ve heard you don’t need a car once you are there. I will be doing this trip solo like you, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

  • Lauren

    April 18, 2014 at 4:59 am

    Hi, Beth.

    You absolutely do not need a car in Cadiz, you can walk circles around the place in an afternoon. There are also plenty of busses and trains to nearby places like Jerez and Seville, very easy and affordable.

    I stayed at this AirBnB location. Susana speaks excellent English and was a great hostess, gave me a map and was quick to recommend restaurants and places to visit (she’s the one who told me about the market). I like having kitchen privileges and a place to cook! Susana’s partner is there, he doesn’t speak English, and her little girl, so it’s a real family home, but a little bohemian. https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1312013

    But I’m sure there are plenty of nice hotels in Cadiz as well, if you want a full-service place or something more traditional. Enjoy enjoy enjoy!

  • Lauren

    April 18, 2014 at 5:02 am

    Oh, I came up from Morocco, so I took a bus from the south. But Seville is really close, and I’m sure there are plenty of busses and trains from Madrid.

    I highly recommend http://www.Rome2Rio.com for figuring this stuff out. If you put in your travel dates, it will give you more accurate prices. It will also give you links to buy your train/bus tickets, but it’s sometimes hard to make purchases online. I find it really easy to buy tickets on the spot in Spain.