TRAVELING THE WORLD 365 days/year. You can visit us on Instagram at whereintheworldaremikeandjan. Do not hit “Reply” to message us – Use Contact Tab, above.
Nobody out there thinks the Canary Islands are named after a yellow bird, right? Right??!?!! No, the name is taken from the Latin for “Island of the Dogs, “ Canariae Insulae. The islands were named by King Juba II of Mauritania, as he claimed that there were a large number of dogs on the islands.
Our cruise ship docked in a very different place than the other times we visited. We forgot there was a free shuttle to take us to the City Centre, and so walked out of the port. So glad we did, as it was a whole other experience. We found pedestrian-only shopping areas, a few plazas, and a sense of the locals’ city rather than the area catering to cruise ship passengers. Each time we have visited, we were aware that we were walking in the footsteps of European explorers, like Columbus, whose last chance for provisions was in the Canary Islands. It gives you a unique view into history. And even though the Canary Islands are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago, they are 810 miles off the coast of Spain, but, much closer, only 130 miles off the coast of Africa.
In our walk around the downtown, we happened upon several plazas, and all were filled with sculptures and Christmas decorations. It was almost like being in the US, with many familiar stores, but the US doesn’t have quite the number of plazas, squares, and public places. And the number of sculptures was off the charts! Check them out – particularly the first photo. From our first viewpoint, we thought it was just a human torso, from the chest down, but we discovered the statue’s head and face when we reached the other side. For a few hours, we felt transported. It wasn’t at all the city we remembered, but it was a city whose acquaintance we were happy to make. It was larger and more sophisticated than we remembered, and it would be a place that would be worth a long stay.
This humanoid tree is so beautiful, gleaming in the sun. Titled Lo Llevo Bien (I’m Doing Well) and created by Basque artist Julio Nieto, it symbolizes “the optimism of the human being, who, despite all thoughts, takes it well.” The branches are the figure’s thoughts, in many languages. We noticed one branch said simply, NOSTALGIA.
Lots of masts – lots of boats – lots of fun for the owners.
Monument to the Fallen in Plaza de Espana.
The Guardian, armed and ready.
We are equal opportunity photographers…if we show one side, we show the other, when available. You can tell by the shine on the cheeks – that people rub them for good luck!
Fountain and accompanying lake in Plaza de Espana.
This smokin’ chica has some serious Botox lips!
It was hard to tell what these are until we were right on top of them. We discovered the trio was the Three Kings, with their gifts as well.
Still naming restaurants after their island group…
What is a cow doing on this balcony?
A tram system runs through the city. It is clean, cheap, and pretty much runs on time, so we hear.
Bronze sculpture, titled Per Adriano, of a theatrical mask at the top of the stairs leading to Theatre Guimera (Igor Mitaraj, 1993).
A great old building – the doors look like a Frank Lloyd Wright design, and as your eye is drawn upward, all different styles emerge.
This store – and upstairs residences – are ready for Christmas.
La Hierbita has been around for 130 years.
Mr. Wonderful?!?! Wondering if the owner is a Shark Tank aficionado – or just a fan of Kevin O’Leary.
Such a pretty store, with a tattoo parlor just above.
It seems the Virgin Mary – this time appearing as a Day of the Dead icon – is a favorite mascot for Mexican restaurants.
The throne? For Santa Claus, of course. The decorated mailbox? For children’s letters to Santa, with “the list of demands.” The plaza? Plaza de Chicharro.
Do you know what this tree is? We took a few guesses and were wrong. It is a Dragon Tree, in Plaza de Chicharro.
This could be in any US city…but it is in the sunny, warm, Atlantic Ocean.It is funny that even countries that don’t have a Thanksgiving Day, they have a day ripe for sales – Black Friday. We saw that repeated in many stores. Always in English. Always in black ink, of course.
A pretty pedestrian mall we found, stretching 7-8 blocks.
Loving this beautiful building and wondering what its intended use was when it was constructed.
Superior Court building, across from St. Francis of Assisi Church.
In front of the Superior Court is an outdoor restaurant and this glorious banyan tree.
We thought this was just a dollar store, but it sells home decor like the gold statues outside. They love their “Mister” stores (see Mr. Wonderful, above).
A view of the marina once we walked to its other side. There were many cruise ships of differing sizes, some for long-distance voyages, such as ours. Others were just for travel between islands or to the closest continents.
Inexplicably, this Cinderella carriage was in the square with the Superior Court. We hope it isn’t the judges’ primary means of transportation.
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