Pirates of CÁDIZ: At Europe’s End

Okay, so we weren’t really PIRATES of Cádiz, but yesterday we were at the end of Europe. 

Arguably the oldest, inhabited city in all of Iberia, Cádiz was originally named Gadir (meaning “Wall”) by the Phoenicians.  The CIEE program took us on a day trip to Southern Spain to see this Peninsula.

After some two hours on a coach bus, we were greeted by the warm southern weather and salty smells of the Atlantic Ocean.  Our group kinda lucked out experiencing 65-70 degree weather in mid-February (rare for this time in Spain).  Not only did we explore the city, but we had a chance to TAN on the miles and miles of beaches Cádiz is popularly known for. 

My favorite part of the trip was visiting the local Mercado (market) in the town’s Centro (center; downtown).  Straight out of a scene in a Bollywood movie, el Mercado had stands of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. (Yes, FISH…check out the pictures below). We also climbed to the top of another Catedral (it’s legit become a weekly workout), admired the decorations being set up for el Carnival de Cádiz (a Carnival/festival held in March that makes Little 5 and Unofficial look like child’s play), and bargained with a few street vendors…just to improve our Spanish.

HI DAD! You would've LOVED this place!

Cádiz is also home to a unique Botanical Garden, full of plant life from all over the world.  A few of us had a great time exploring the greenery (check out more fun pictures).

On the Sleepless en Sevilla front, I had a great night with MF, her intercambio Carmen and some of Carmen’s friends. We had a delicious (and filling) dinner in el Centro with great conversation in Spanish. MF and I suspected one of Carmen’s out-of-town friends was crushing on her best friend, Isabel, as we watched the poor guy make pass after pass to grab the girl’s attention. It’s quite entertaining to watch a guy try so hard! But nonetheless, we were really pulling for Carlos!

Afterwards, the group of us headed over to Calle Betiz (the center of nightlife in Sevilla) for some Flamenco dancing! Though MF and I struggled to keep up with the rest of the gang, it was a very fun experience…taking me back to the days of SHS when Bollywood dancing was part of my daily routine. I miss that constant cultural incorporation and am partaking in FREE Salsa lessons, twice a week, to fill that void.

This awesome weekend is followed by homework and readings for this week’s classes.  BUT only FOUR days stand between me and MADRID next weekend. I can definitely get used to hopping from city to city every weekend! ;)