Hola: we have reached land

Early this morning, about 0730, we arrived at Cadiz, Spain. My promise to my World Regional geography class that this part of Spain enjoys a beautiful Mediterranean climate (Csa on the Koppen-Geiger map) has been delivered. We have a cloudless, blue sky day, although it is a bit warm (91 deg) and humid. As I was standing along the rail this morning watching the tugs nudge us into port, Archbishop Desmond Tutu came along side me. It provided a nice photo-op and a few minutes of chat time with him. He recently retired and is using our voyage, with his wife, to relax. He has made himself accessible to the students. During the voyage he will be talking to the student body, particularly just before we arrive in South Africa.

After the immigration officers “cleared” the ship (all of our passports have been given to the purser and he handles all the formalities) many headed off the ship to begin independent travels through out Spain (one Semester at Sea rule is that you have to remain in country, with my field trip to Gibraltar, in a few days, being the one exception at this stop). Sandy and I have signed up for many of the formal field trips that have been organized, but we often will be going on different ones, like this morning. I joined a half day walking tour of the churches of Cadiz while Sandy headed a bit out of town to Jerez to see how sherry is produced and then to see the Carthusian horses.

Me and the Archbishop as we arrive in Cadiz

"New" Cathedral in Cadiz; made by shells (on bottom) and sandstone (on top)