While Catholicism is predominant in Spain (though nowhere near as big in the Philippines), Carnaval festivities only started getting big recently.
Carnaval is, of course, a festival that takes place before Lent. It's typically a week long fiesta with parades, public celebrations, and merry making.
Cádiz is one of the most popular Carnaval destinations here in Spain, and we joined a group that organized a day trip to Cádiz for Carnaval. It was another good deal at €18 round trip with food and snacks (a normal bus trip costs €35 one way). So on the morning of Saturday the 14th, we dressed up in our costumes, headed to the meeting point and we were off to Cádiz.
 |
| A fairy, a pirate, and a hippie |
We were scheduled to leave at 11am, but in true Spanish fashion (and okay, also because there were a lot of people - we were on bus 9), we left close to 12nn. The bus ride was supposed to be around 5 hours, but because of some unexpected pit stops, it took us 6 hours to reach Cádiz. We were pretty well taken care of though -- we got breakfast, drinks, and lunch, and the bus was comfortable.
 |
| Getting started with some tinto de verano |
We arrived in Cádiz at around 6pm and had a good 12 hours in the city since our bus back was scheduled to leave at 6am. Since it was our first time in Cádiz, we spent the first couple of hours going around the city. We originally planned to join the walking tour the group had organized, but we got lost on our way to the meeting point, so we just explored the city on our own.
 |
| City walls in the old quarter |
We walked from the bus station to the city center, saw the city walls in the old quarter, and came upon
Plaza San Juan de Dios. It was our first encounter with Carnaval-goers; the place was full of people having fun and celebrating.
 |
| Plaza San Juan de Dios |
 |
| The Cathedral |
Cádiz was a surprisingly beautiful coastal city. Located in southwestern Spain, Cádiz is a city in the province of Cádiz in Andalucia. It's considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Spain.
 |
| What a gorgeous coast |
We headed towards the beach and enjoyed the view until we couldn't take the cold ocean winds anymore. Another city I'd love to return to when it's warmer.
It was a bit cold, though thankfully not as cold as Granada. We ducked into 100 Montaditos for dinner -- somewhere to sit, cheap food, and warmth for the win! It was right by the Cathedral which was one of the biggest
fiesta points in the city. We headed out afterwards and the plaza was packed! We managed to find our roommate Elisa and her friends and we hung out with them for a while.
 |
| The Cathedral |
 |
| View of the plaza from the Cathedral |
Unfortunately it was drizzling on and off throughout the whole night, which with the cold (and the trash on the streets) did not make for a very good combination. We managed to entertain ourselves though, going around the city, finding some street musicians, popping into bars, and listening to the free concerts at the plazas.
 |
| Street musicians |
 |
| A free concert at Plaza San Antonio |
It was another nice quick trip, though Carnaval is just not my thing. I was way too tired to last the twelve hours (yet somehow managed!). But here's to more (mis)adventures another thing crossed off my bucket list! :)
Comments