My Cadiz disappointment
Wednesday, May 14 (Cadiz) – After two weeks of intense, nonstop traveling across 9 cities in Andalusia, I was ready to make #10 all about the beach. Multiple people had suggested I go to Cadiz – the town known for beaches and happy, friendly Spaniards – so sign me up!
I found an Airbnb host who lives close to the bus station and the beach, so I was set… or so I thought. When I arrived (from Sevilla by way of a day trip to Jerez de la Frontera) everything was fine. My host Yolanda and I got along off the bat and spoke entirely in Spanish. My room was big and comfortable, and I was shown a map of how close we are to Playa de la Caleta (the beach that is famous for a the scene in James Bond “Die Another Day” when Halle Berry emerges in an orange bikini).
The next morning I woke up excited for the beach, but as I went to the kitchen for the breakfast part of my “AirbnB”, I noticed the shutters were slamming against the window and the trees outside seemed to be bending over backwards. But what’s better than a bit of a breeze at the beach on a hot Andalusian day? So I walked to the beach, lay down to get comfortable, and all of a sudden a huge gust of wind carried half the beach’s sand and dropped it on top of me. And it hurt. Again and again, the wind would blow what felt like little needles of sand all over my face and body. Finally I couldn’t take it anymore and 10 minutes later, I left.
I found an Airbnb host who lives close to the bus station and the beach, so I was set… or so I thought. When I arrived (from Sevilla by way of a day trip to Jerez de la Frontera) everything was fine. My host Yolanda and I got along off the bat and spoke entirely in Spanish. My room was big and comfortable, and I was shown a map of how close we are to Playa de la Caleta (the beach that is famous for a the scene in James Bond “Die Another Day” when Halle Berry emerges in an orange bikini).
The next morning I woke up excited for the beach, but as I went to the kitchen for the breakfast part of my “AirbnB”, I noticed the shutters were slamming against the window and the trees outside seemed to be bending over backwards. But what’s better than a bit of a breeze at the beach on a hot Andalusian day? So I walked to the beach, lay down to get comfortable, and all of a sudden a huge gust of wind carried half the beach’s sand and dropped it on top of me. And it hurt. Again and again, the wind would blow what felt like little needles of sand all over my face and body. Finally I couldn’t take it anymore and 10 minutes later, I left.
Beach time... in a sweater :(
Low tide at Playa de la Caleta
My Cadiz surprise!
After spending the day walking around the city, trying to keep my hair from blowing in my eyes and hopping on a free “Pancho Tour”, I was invited by my host’s roommate Ryan to go out with him and some of his friends. They all teach English (an extremely common story, I’m learning), and that night, they were headed to the bar El Pelicano for an ‘intercambio’ (when native Spanish and English speakers come together to practice each other's languages). So I joined, and as a native English speaker and a New Yorker, I became a bit of a celebrity and got to do a lot of practicing my Spanish while helping Spanish speakers with their English!
Later that night we went to Cambalache, a jazz bar that had a band playing. But it wasn’t just a regular jazz show, it was – get this – karaoke! The band would play your preferred song live, and you get up and sing along. Way better than those ridiculous music videos at karaoke bars in the States… (no, I didn’t sing .. this time).
Later that night we went to Cambalache, a jazz bar that had a band playing. But it wasn’t just a regular jazz show, it was – get this – karaoke! The band would play your preferred song live, and you get up and sing along. Way better than those ridiculous music videos at karaoke bars in the States… (no, I didn’t sing .. this time).
The sun setting over Cadiz
Jazz band karaoke at Cambalache
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