February 21, 2026
Carnival is a 10 day extravaganza, with parades, music acts, parties and lots and lots of costumes.
The other day we were on our way to the botanical garden, taking our usual route when we ran into a crowd watching a traditional singing group on one of the many stages erected around town. Don’t know what we were thinking, but we tried to get through the crowd, ending up separated and stuck right in the middle.
A lady in a very impressive florescent pink/orange wig, following behind me, asked if she could go ahead. I said “of course”, well what a crowd buster. She cajoled, wiggled and pushed our little group through to clear ground. Meanwhile Pete backed out of the crowd with the help of another Spanish woman. Many thanks were showered on both.
The next day we headed towards the farmers market and one of our favorite restaurants Ancá Lidia. They posted a special carnival menu that included scallops in a lemon herb sauce.
Though not the way we are served scallops in the USA, they were very tasty, if a little stronger flavored with the roe.
The next day we were in the mood for Chinese food (if it seems a lot of our focus is on eating, you wouldn’t be wrong). The only good Chinese restaurant is south in the newer area of Cádiz where all the beach side condos and wide sidewalks are located. The map showed a 2.2 mile walk so we decided to hoof it down to new town.
Longest 2.2 miles I’ve ever walked, because it’s really (drum roll) 3.2 miles. Cherry on top, the restaurant was closed for vacation. Soooo, we wandered out to the seaside promenade and found La Mafia a very good Italian restaurant.
After lunch we started back along the promenade and agreed to throw in the towel when either of us called it quits. We actually made it quite a ways before cutting back to the main street to catch a bus for the rest of the journey.
Today Pete suggested making a picnic to take to the Botanical Garden. Excellent idea as we are moving accommodations tomorrow and the less to haul the better. plus it’s our warmest day so far, 68 degrees. We were very careful to skirt the little plaza where we got stuck before. Good thing too! Today they have tractors pulling singing groups around and the area is mobbed again.
We got our favorite bench, and ordered French fries and a couple beers from the park cafe and enjoyed ourselves listening to birdsong.
I hung on the fringes of the crowd on our way home to listen to music and check out more costumes.
It’s kiddy day in the main Plaza San Antonio. They are having so much fun!
Well, think we are all caught up. I’ll publish pictures of our new apartment near Plaza Mina.
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