November 26, 2017
We marvel at how something we searched so diligently for and struggled to find was actually so close to us. Hmmm. I think that will preach.
This is our third trip to Cadiz, and on each of our first two trips we searched for the Camera Obscura.
On our first trip we rode the hop on hop off bus to the Cathedral of Cadiz, and after visiting the cathedral, wandered around looking for the CO. We finally stopped at an information booth where a woman said, “Go up to the next corner, turn right, go to the big square, turn left, follow the yellow brick road, and you can’t miss it!” Well, she was wrong. We missed it.
On our second trip we rode the hop on hop off bus to the Cathedral of Cadiz, and after visiting the cathedral, wandered around looking for the CO. This time we were armed with a map and finally found it. As I blogged at the time, it was well worth the effort (if you want to relive those exciting days of yesteryear – with the Lone Ranger and his faithful Indian companion Tonto – oh never mind, just read the blog from October).
Anyway, on those two earlier occasions, the bus took a route that, we realized today, actually went away from the Cathedral and the CO. This morning, being Sunday, many of the shops and stores were closed when we went off early. So, we walked across the street – the ship was parked parallel to the main thoroughfare and less than a hundred yards from said thoroughfare (speaking of 100 yards, how ‘bout dem Auburn Tigers! Rolled Tide!!). Within 15 minutes we were at the Cathedral, and Bonnie said, “Do you realize the CO is just over there?”
We had a good laugh over that and continued to walk around downtown Cadiz, shopping in and out of stores, exploring once again the flea market that sets up, literally, around the block.
Our flea market goal today was to find a novel in English. We saw a Spanish copy of Ken Follett’s “Pillars of the Earth” (The small boys came early to the hanging). I would have bought it just for the collector’s value of it, but the frazzling thing was three inches thick and weighed two pounds, and with all of the souvenirs we have not bought on this trip, our luggage would have been overweight for Delta 1420.
We walked by the shop where I bought my European man purse (I haven’t told you about that and I’m not going to – certain of my offspring would enjoy the tale too much). I saw a kitchen sink, a roll of duck tape, several varieties of unmentionables (so I won’t), rusty tools (sorry, Mac, same weight concern), three 8-track tapes (Cub Scouts honor), a box of power cords for a variety of extinct electronic devices, and the list could go on, but we came to the conclusion of the flea market and reveal there was not a single book written in English. Are you surprised?
We stopped in a gelatto store and sampled the offerings, each of us getting a two-flavor small cone. We met up with a lady with whom we ate supper the first night of the cruise – she was buying an Octopus Hat. Well, actually it was a straw hat that featured a hand-painted octopus. When I raised my eyebrow at her selection, she said, “It’s because I have been eating octopus this entire cruise.” So. There you go.
Back out in the square from whence we started our quest, which was empty of vendors at the time we first entered it, and now full, we browsed through. My Mom, Skinny Granny (for those of you my readers who never met her) had a way of working my Dad to get him to buy something for her. She would pick it up, examine it closely, and then say, “I don’t really need this, do I, darling?” And Dad would reply, “Get it if you like it.” It worked every time. Bonnie has her version of the trick. She will pick something up, admire it, turn it over, examine it closely, and then say, “I don’t need this.” And I buy it for her. It works every time. Today’s object under consideration was a necklace with thin leather straps, silver ornaments on one side, and a beautiful, white (people?) oval-shaped stone as its pendant.
Back on board we had cream of broccoli soup and then enjoyed our afternoon nap.
As I write this it is about 11 a.m. Augusta time. I am not sure of the Steelers starting time, but for all you Yinzers out there: “Here we go Steelers! Here we go!”
Oh, and we set our clocks back an hour tonight, so we are only 5 hours ahead of you.
And thus endeth my writing for today.
TTFN
Well, what a nice day. It was not hot but just needed a sweater.
We really felt dumb. We walked off the ship and out into the square. We expected everything to be closed but we found a lot of shops open. We walked out of the square and up a street and found a church we hadn’t seen before. It was beautiful inside. We proceeded up and found a street we recognized as the one we had gotten off the bus in October when we had found the camera. There was the Roman theater which is never open and there was the big church we had been into one Easter Palm Sunday. We could hardly believe it. We hadn’t walked a half of a mile and there was the street that led to the flea market and the camera. We walked and shopped . It was fun. The flea market is just like an old fashioned one. There was all kinds of stuff. I found a little store that had yarn! Yes I bought a skein. We also bought a tiny light up Christmas tree to add to our decorations in our room. I know it was made in China but it is really cute and only cost 1.50 euros. We bought a few other odds and ends. We walked for a couple of hours a total of 1.8 miles today and came back to the ship.
Your Dad bought a can of Pringles.
We were in time to have a bowl of soup for lunch. It was cream of broccoli today. There was a lemon mousse for dessert. Then back to the room for our nap.
Supper was nice. We had a great seat in the window and got to watch the ship leave port. We were supposed to leave about 6 but it was closer to 6:30 because the large German Mein Schiff ship left first. It was fun watching it maneuver out and then it was our turn. We saw the pilot ship come along and pick up the pilot, though we didn’t get to see him get off.
Supper was a NY strip steak and a crab roll for appetizer. I had a devil’s food cake with mousse between the layers for dessert.
The show tonight was a violinist. WOW! He could play. He played the themes from Schlinder’s list, Fiddler on the Roof, and then Hey Jude, and the William Tell’s Overture to name a few.
We are back in our room and Dad is watching some football hoping to see the Steeler score. We are watching Buffalo Bills versus KC Chiefs. No score yet.
Well, I think maybe I will crochet for a while. We get into Casablanca at 6:30 am and are there till 8:30 pm. They have a tour to Mericash(?) that is 13 hours long including an 8 hour bus ride (4 there and 4 back) for $249.95! Needless to say we didn’t buy that.
Tomorrow on board they are showing the movie “Casablanca” and we are going to go see it. So cool.
Love you all,
Mom, Granny, Bonnie
No comments:
Post a Comment