French la Vie

 

 

As we have been on several cruises, we had visited most of the ports of call before,

but that did not bother us, in fact, we knew what we wanted to see again and where to go exploring for more. 

A new port of call for us was Tarragona.

 

"The Costa Daurada is a strip of Mediterranean coastline in Spain's Catalonia region, southwest of Barcelona. Resorts and beaches line the coast, known for its calm, shallow waters. Tarragona, the area’s main city, has the Roman Tarragona Amphitheatre and a 12th-century cathedral. Nearby is the Roman Pont del Diable aqueduct. The city of Reus hosts the Gaudí Centre, with exhibits on the famed architect’s work."

 

 

 

 

When we visited Tarragona I was the lucky one to be with five hunks: Yann, Sacha, Martin, Georges, and Thomas. As each day on the cruise, we were at a different port and we were free to do as we wanted one never knew who was doing what or who was going where until we met at breakfast. Since the cruise has an agenda that you can either follow or not, this worked well for our group us as we could make decisions as we felt. Some would decide to enjoy the sun and swim by the poolside, others would want to spend the day with someone and not the entire group, and some just followed whoever had a better plan.

 

 

 

 

It was such a beautiful day we decided to skip going to places and just walk about.

We walked around the cathedral.

 

 

 

 

 

There was music and cafes around the cathedral which gave it an extra inviting feel.

 

 

 

 

 

We walked a lot.

Saw plenty.

Tasted everything.

Hung together.

Enjoyed the days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Photo by Sacha)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then as my lucky stars do I stumbled upon the oldest shop in Tarragona.

A candle shop.

 

"Wandering along Merceria Street, you come across a store, which catches your attention in a very particular way. Stones covering the bottom of the façade still preserve up to four Roman inscriptions, which come to prove we are right in front of a historical building. Its wooden entrance gate is painted in a two-tone green, and the decoration on the window display demonstrates the long commercial activity of a store which talks, which has a characteristic smell, and which is capable of seducing both kids and adults.

In fact, no other store can boast of such a long-standing life as the one of Cal Corderet in Tarragona. The historical wax-chandler’s shop, located at number 17 Merceria St., right in the heart of the Part Alta, is already more than 260 years old, which is not a trifle matter. Maybe the credit must be attributed to its “spirituality”, ventures to say Xavier Pagès, a senior craftsman who works there. Whatever the case may be, the historical thread of Cal Corderet continues to be as valid right up to these days; first, as a candle manufacturing workshop, and afterward, as an altar candle and natural incenses store. Products still appealing to both Tarragona inhabitants and tourists –the latter, more into discovering a place which evokes city’s heritage and history, and that is able to take you back in time–." via Tarragona Experience

 

 

 

 

 

The candles are handmade and mostly made of beeswax.

Instead of carrying flowers… I bought some long large candles for the family to carry into the Basilica during Chelsea and Martin's wedding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then the guys decided to go shopping.

Yes, shopping.

I think the last time Yann went shopping for clothes was back in 200 B.C.

 

Shopping for wedding clothes for the civil ceremony which is this coming weekend.

 

Wonders never cease and I am blessed about that.