Hanging out in Cadiz

   With the increment weather, the three nights in Cadiz allowed me the time to experience this facinating city.  The vino tintos, delicious tapas in numerous restaurants, array of beautiful plazas, the Cadiz cathedral, old market place, a very informative walking tour, subterranean Phenecian(sp)-Roman ruins and the tumultuous  seas all made for a interesting stay.  Yesterday, the rain was constant but that didn’t stop me from exploring the city. Accept for the waterfront avenues,  all the roads are cobble stone barely wide enough to accommodate cars.  Motor bikes and scooters are everywhere. With little if any sidewalk space, I was always on guard, listening for on coming traffic. The narrow roads are border by four story buildings all with decorative balconies.  With no sun light and all the roads looking the same, getting disoriented and lost was always the case. My gps
both saved me and frustrated me. Now that I am leaving, I am getting somewhat familiar with the maze of  roads and alleys.  Most of the stores are oriented towards woman, as fashion is everything among the women of Cadiz. However, I did find a tiny hardware store shoehorned into a near invisible storefront when searching for a small brush to clean my mud caked bike.  Eating out is a pastime where one can find any number of cozy places to dine. Yet between 4:00 and 7:30/8:00 the restaurants shut down, a tough sell for most northern tourists including yours truly.  Napping has taken a good hour out of every late afternoon.  Everyone is out at night, the laughing and general party atmosphere is pervasive.  The stormy weather put a crimp on the outdoor dining but this only packed the inside dining spaces. And if you like seafood, this town is the place to enjoy it.  The old city market square displays a vast array of freshly caught seafood.  Tapas stalls and various other food offerings are adjoining the fresh seafood and fruit stalls. It is a scene to behold.
   Scoping out my options as to my next destination, given the lousy weather, I am taking a bus to Tarifa. It is south east on the coast. The battle of Trafalgar took place off shore in 1805 when Lord Nelson vanquished the French and Spanish fleets. The bus allows me to avoid the treacherous road out of Cadiz which I have heard nothing good about. Constantly checking the weather, it appears I may enjoy slightly better weather as I progress southeast. My thought of visiting Tanger was dashed because the ferries are not running due to rough seas.  Although the biking has been less than enjoyable, both Seville and Cadiz have more than made up for this disappointment.