May 15, 2014 WALKS IN HISTORY: Casas que trascalan Story by J.A. Pilares / Photos by Zenner
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Awards in the patio contests
Prim 22 entrance
Prim 22 patio
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oday we are going to Rota’s downtown, but we are not visiting any of the well-known monuments such as the castle or a church; neither are we going to enjoy local cuisine nor wines.We are simply going to visit some houses:“las casas que trascalan”. The term “trascalar” does not even exist in Spanish; it is a purely Andalusian word that describes houses that are built around a long winding path, sometimes linking up two different streets through as many gates. This type of house is almost only found in Rota; in other Andalusian towns one can find “patios” or “cármenes”… but “casas que trascalan” only here. Consider a long winding alley that links two larger streets.Then consider that a large family builds its house on either side of it, using the alley as the house’s corridor. Consider that small squares exist in the alley where a well or a fig tree can be found.Then consider that over generations the same family keeps expanding around the alley, building new rooms on several levels as needed.Then, finally, consider that the general public “forgets” that there was ever an alley, and that a gate with an iron fence is built at the entrance to the alley.A common bathroom would be built down water from the well; later modern bathrooms would take its place with running water. With time, the alley –now a corridor- is beautified with hanging flower pots, glazed pottery, paintings and furniture.The inhabitants would actually compete with other houses to have then as well-decorated as possible and with the most variety of flowers blooming in the spring.An actual contest used to be held (until only two years ago) for the best patio, and the awards are proudly hung up on the entrances to these houses for all to see.That is how “las casas que trascalan” have come to exist over the years. To prepare this article I visited four of these houses. Of course I didn’t call in advance, I just went there and rang the bell; and so can you! Most of these houses can be found in the area between the old city walls (Plaza España) and the line that goes from Plaza la Costilla, to Plaza de San Roque to Plaza de Pio XII; but the biggest concentration of them is around Calle Mina. Calle Mina has several houses that link up with Calle Charco, Prim and Blas Infante. Sadly not all are still inhabited, but a handful of them are MUST visits for anyone living in Rota. Calle Prim, 22, is a narrow house with a strong-looking sandstone façade inhabited by Carmen. Carmen led me in, and asked me to forgive the mess as they were repainting the whitewashed walls for the summer. Still, I saw no mess to forgive but a shady and green corridor. A bit further up the street is a real surprise at Calle Prim 8.There Luisa cares for an amazing cloister; full of plants and shade.Then a small opening in the back of the patio leads away to a long corridor full flower pots, with the odd well in the alley’s “square” and stairs leading to the upper levels. The big surprise comes when one finds himself back in the street, but in Calle Mina, 19, not Prim.Take a left, quickly, and walk over to Mina 25 and another long house opens up. This one is not as decorated, hardly has any plants and seems overwhelmingly white-washed and full of sunlight. I didn’t encounter anyone there… but I did climb the stairs to the rooftop for an intimate view of the old town. However, my personal favourite of those houses I ran into was in Argüelles, 3.There Juan (Juanmita as everybody knows him) a young roteño full of life and goodwill, welcomed me into the house that he and his life-long friend Jesús (a.k.a. Barcala) have restored from decay into an indie “casa que trascala” and a haven for Carnaval life.The house had been run down for years after most of its inhabitants moved out to more modern housing, so Juanmita and Bacala decided first to make their house a home, and then to turn it into a museum of carnaval. The floor has received golden stars (like in Hollywood) with the names of the most important people of Rota’s Carnaval, such as Guti, Mercedes de los Grifos… an idea that has given the alley the name “Bule-bar de los famosos del Carnaval roteño”. Decoration goes from the absurd (a bird cage with toy sharks in it) to the artistic (a mural of the old harbour). The extra space left behind by the old tenants has given the remaining ones room to expand their own housing, and to put away other rooms as places where Carnaval troupes can rehearse. Argüelles, 3, is the demonstration that a typical “casa que trascala” does not need
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to be kept in the ”old ways” to it still be a beautiful and intimate place. It just needs people that make it a home. As I said earlier, these are just but a few examples of Rota’s popular housing, many more can be found. Save a morning to visit them! It will not take more than a couple of hours and you will be amazed by these maze-like houses covered with plants and stories. Just ring the bell if you see a house that awakes your curiosity and ask to be let in… or smile and show your camera if you don’t speak any Spanish. I would maybe offer some tip to my hosts as I leave… but remember to make it clear that the money is not for the service, but just for a new plant or pot. Or even better, visit them later with a new flower pot and a smile just for them.
Corridor and cloister in Prim 8
Stairs in Prim 8
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May 15, 2014
May 15, 2014
Cádiz By A.M. Ávila / Photos by Vicky Miller
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et´s talk about the ancient and mysterious city of Cádiz. First of all, Cádiz is the name of the city that lies directly across the bay. However, it is also the name of the province which extends from the City of Cadiz to areas that border Gibraltar to the south, Malaga to the east, and Sevilla to the west. All of our neighboring towns (Rota, El Puerto, Sanlucar, Jerez, Chiclana, etc.) are all part of the vast expanse that is the province of Cadiz. Although the province has an amazing diversity of terrain, history, and culture, today I would like to focus on the City of Cadiz. It is the oldest continuouslyinhabited city in Spain and is one of the oldest in southwestern Europe. It is also the capital of the province of Cadiz. It´s location is curious in that it is on a narrow strip of land that is surrounded by the sea. Which would make it an island, right? Well, at one time it was an island but it has since been connected to the mainland. This city by the sea is divided into the part referred to as El Casco Antiguo (The Old Section of Town) and the newer section. One can tell exactly where the old town begins when you come across a huge and ancient stone-wall portal that used to be part of the defensive structure of this fortified city. Cadiz was founded by the Phoenicians, over three thousand years ago, in 1104 B.C. They called the city Gadir or Agadir which can mean “the wall, the compound, or the stronghold.” The Romans called the town “Gades.” Subsequently, the Moors called it “Qadis” which is where the Spanish “Cadiz” is derived from. People and things from Cadiz are referred to, in Spanish, as “gaditano.” To discuss the history of Cadiz would take volumes, so the following are some interesting tidbits to whet your appetite for this amazing place. The Phoenicians in Gadir traded with Tartessos, a city-state whose exact location remains unknown but is thought to have been somewhere near the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. Since Homer mentioned Tartessos in his literary work “The Iliad,” and since there is also mention that Atlantis lay beyond the “pillars of Heracles (Hercules),” (today´s Gibraltar) some people believe that Tartessos was actually the lost city of Atlantis. If that theory is correct, Atlantis would lie somewhere beneath the Doña Ana National Park across from the present town of Sanlucar. The Cadiz City coat of arms and City seal bear the image of Heracles (or Hercules), the Greek (and Roman) mythological hero. One of his twelve heroic deeds was said to be the slaying of a three-headed monster in an area near Cadiz. During the Age of Exploration, Christopher Columbus sailed from Cádiz to the New World on his second and fourth voyages. Since Cadiz would later become the homeport of the returning Spanish treasure fleet, it became a major target for Spain's enemies and pirates. In April, 1587, Englishman Sir Francis Drake occupied the harbor for three days, captured six ships, and destroyed 31 others. Part of his “acquisition,” as a result of the raid, was a large number of barrels filled with Sherry wine (3,000 is a frequently-quoted estimate). They were all transported to England and quickly became a favorite of the English nobility and even of the famous author, William Shakespeare. Ironically, the resulting demand for Sherry wine helped stimulate the growth of the Sherry industry in this area. In the 18th century, the sand bars of the Guadalquivir River, which empties just
northwest of Cadiz, forced the Spanish government to transfer its American trade headquarters from Seville to Cádiz. The city experienced a golden age of importance, and became one of Spain's most cosmopolitan cities and home to trading communities from many countries. Many of today's historic buildings in the Old Town area date from this era. There are many landmarks of historical and scenic interest in Cádiz. Some examples are the Cathedral, an 18th-century watchtower known as the Torre Tavira, an ancient Roman theater, and the forts and fortifications which surround the Old Town area. The Cathedral is one of Cádiz' most famous landmarks. It sits on the site of an older cathedral, which was completed in 1260, but which burned down in 1596. The reconstruction, which was not started until 1776, lasted almost 116 years. In the 18th century, Cádiz had more than 160 towers from which local merchants could look out to sea for the arrival of merchant ships. These towers often formed part of the merchants' houses.The Torre Tavira, named for its original owner, stands as the tallest remaining watchtower. It has a “camara oscura,” a room that uses the principle of the pinhole camera (and a specially-prepared convex lens) to project panoramic views of the Old City onto a concave disc. The Roman theatre was discovered in 1980 after a fire destroyed some old warehouses. Underneath, were the foundations of some medieval buildings which had been built upon a more ancient structure. Subsequent excavations revealed a largely intact Roman theater which is the second-largest Roman theater in the world, surpassed only by the theater in Pompeii. The “Baluarte de la Candelaria,” the Castle of San Sebastian, and the Castle of Santa Catalina are all former military fortifications. Protected by a seaward-facing wall, the Candelaria's cannons were in a perfect position to control the channels approaching the port of Cádiz. The Castle of Santa Catalina was built in 1598 and the Castle of San Sebastian was built in 1706. Both were also strategically situated near the entrance to the bay in order to defend against invaders. In addition to these examples of interesting places to visit in Cadiz, there are many other places that are worthy of note but too numerous to list here. I would suggest accessing the City´s tourism website at www.turismo.cadiz. es In the upper, right-hand corner it says “seleccionar idioma” which means “pick a language” and in the drop-down menu English is written as “inglés.” I thought that was curious and kind of funny if you think about it. Anyway, it has information in English that will lead you to, among other things, several museums, two culinary schools (either of which will serve you an amazing lunch), a large soccer stadium, several beautiful beaches, amazing cultural events, and a variety of eating establishments. To reach Cadiz from Rota, visitors can utilize a catamaran ferry, a bus, or car. From El Puerto, Cadiz can also be reached by a catamaran ferry (which makes runs more often than in Rota), by bus, or by car. In addition, travel by train is available from El Puerto. The city of Cadiz hosts a double-decker tourism bus system that runs along a well-defined route. By paying one price (17 € adults, 8.50 € children), visitors can get off and on the bus at designated stops at strategic points. In my humble opinion, Cadiz is easy to visit and is worth making the trip across the bay. For me, the boat ride across is always a treat.
May 15, 2014
The view from CView Dr. Miguel de la Cruz López Specialist in plastic surgery, and reconstructive surgery Jerez. Spain Spain is the first country in number of cosmetic surgeries in the EC. More than 100.000 procedures are preformed every year in our country by the around 800 boarded plastic surgeons that have their private activities in Spain. Face surgery and Breast enhancement are the most common in the OR. But the tendency has changed in the last few years.
Minimal invasive surgeries with minimum downtime are the most demanded treatments, but the real stars are botox and
ROTA
Pilgrimage San Isidro Labrador; Sunday May 18th. At 08:30 the brotherhood will gather on horseback in the Plaza Padre Eugenio and at about 09:00 they will leave for the pine forest near the fairgrounds.The itinerary they will follow is: Plaza de Padre Eugenio, Cunas; Constitución Plaza de España, Plaza de Andalucía,Veracruz, Isaac Peral, Castelar, Plaza San Roque, Mª Auxiliadora, Avd. Príncipes de España, Fair grounds and pine forest “ La Guillén”. Holy Mass will be celebrated in the pine forest at 10:30 The brotherhood will offer a glass of wine and a taste of berza (bean stew) to attendees. At approximately 20:00 they will return via Avda. de la diputación, Avda. de la Marina, MªAuxiliadora, Avda. San Fernando, Higuereta, Fermín Salvochea, Constitución, Cuna, Plaza Padre Eugenio.
hyaluronic acid injections for facial rejuvenation that have become a very common and extended technique for this proposal. Spain is also a very competitive place for such kind of surgery compared with the USA or rest of Europe with a high skill surgeons and low prices. At our clinic INSTITUTO FRAUENFELD located in Jerez we offer all cosmetic procedures for worldwide patients, including Breast Enhancement, Liposuction and Tummy-Tuck, Facial surgery (Nose, Ears, Eye Lids, etc) Laser therapy, Botox and fillers. All the procedures are performed in a Highly advanced Hospital in Jerez, (Tricare approved and certified), with Critical Care Unit and nice private rooms. Our Staff speak fluent English and all the information pre and post-op are given in English. All our patients have a direct access to the surgeon in the early post-op, so all the questions can be treated directly with the doctor. Tricare patients are also welcome for reconstructive proposals due to the Naval Base doctors’ referral. (Call Translations office for more information) We offer the most advanced techniques in Breast augmentation surgery with anatomical silicone implants (Mentor corp. with ww warranty). Round implants are also available, and we indicate axyllary, areolar or inframamary approach depend-
JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA
Feria through Sunday, May18th. Flea Market on Sundays at Alameda Vieja s/n from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Archaeological Museum Plaza del Mercado,W s/n. C.P. 11.408 956 14 95 60 museoarq@aytojerez.es
PUERTO DE SANTA MARIA
Jam Session Night Every Saturday at Molly's Bring your instrument and join in! Mexican Night at Shamrock's Friday May16th. Enjoy your Friday savoring some Mexican cuisine and listening to great music.
ZAHARA DE LA SIERRA
Indian Grooveland at Al Lago Restaurant & Hotel on Saturday the 24th of
ing on the patient’s anatomy. The procedure takes less than one hour at Surgery Room and can be performed as an outpatient or short day stay. Complete recovery, depends on the surgical technique (in front or behind the muscle) but light activity can be carried out a few days after the surgery. Complete follow up is done at the consultation office in Jerez and we need to wait until the 3rd month to see the final result without any swelling. We have been Tricare Provider for Plastic Surgery at Rota Naval Base since 1998 and treated hundreds of American patients since then with good results. The first consultation for cosmetic procedures information is cost free. Molly Malone Tomorrow night is steakhouse night at Molly Malone. Also, their FREE Friday night shuttle to the Rota and Puerto Gates starts tomorrow night. No more worries about drinking and driving or having a designated driver. Molly cares about you and puts safety first. The first bus will pick up people at the Rota Gate at18:30; Puerto Gate at 18:45 and arrive at Molly’s at 19:00. The first return bus will leave Molly’s at 21:00 and then come back to Molly’s at 21:30 from the Rota Gate and 21:45 from the Puerto Gate, arriving at Molly’s at 22:00. The last return bus will
leave Molly’s around midnight. Chiringuito Las Dunas The most popular beach shack in Rota opens this Saturday, May 17th! Chiringuito Las Dunas will bring you good food, good music and good company as always. This year there will be live music Saturdays starting around 7 p.m. Remember, it’s a great place for celebrations and private parties. Stop by this Saturday and get summer off to a good start
. Anything you want us to pass along? Let us hear from you about your favorite places or coming events.We do like hearing from you! Send an e-mail to Karen@ coastline.e.telefonica.net or give a call to 607-564132. Support your paper by supporting the advertisers.