Cádiz is located on a small strip of land, surround by the sea on three sides. They say it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. It is one of the safest, prettiest and most magical cities I have been to. The lighting, color and people are enough to make you feel like you stumbled on a different world, one where time has stood still with hints of modernity. While I was there, I decided to see where it was on the latitude compared to here in San Jose. Funny enough, Cádiz is at 36.53 degrees north and San Jose is at 37.33 degrees north. Just about one degree of separation. I ended up drawing a lot of comparisons by location, weather, population and more while I was there and incorporating it in my art work.
There are many streets like this, open to pedestrians and motorcycles, but generally not cars. When you do see cars, they are small and modest.
Balcony and rooftop
Airplant
Apartment courtyard with oh so many plants
The balconies and rooftops alone made me want to live here. Not to mention that everyone decorates their homes with so many plants.
Classic Spain right here. People eating outside in the plaza, random accordion player and cobblestone. I passed this plaza, Plaza del Mentidero, everyday on my way to the art studio.
A woodshop open to the street. I loved finding artisans working in these arched doorways. This is one of several I passed by.
Citywide, you can walk along the city walls. On sunny days, the water had an aquamarine hue, unlike any other ocean I have seen.
Along the southern wall, Parque Genoves is a landscaped area and nearby you find checkerboard floors and the balcony that overlooks the ocean. Seeing this everyday made me feel like I was in a lost Bergman film or storybook.
Just some birds and a walkway to a castle
A sea cat on the city wall looking out at New Town.
Among the blocks, I found dozens of cats living and hunting for food. One day, I smelled something terrible and when I peered over, found the cats eating a sea gull. Live nature show.
The domed Gran Catedral is one of the most notable buildings in Old Town. It was such an icon for me, since I sketched it before I left on my trip. Walking through the city was something I did daily. Things felt very intuitive here. Unplanned and spontaneous.
More to come...including the food and working in the studio...