Spain - Ibiza day 3
I woke up this morning and everyone else was asleep and I decided to just go out on my own and explore. My initial plan was to just try to find a better beach than I'd been to so far.
I ended up wondering around San Antonio past some shops and taking photos of buildings and random things that I fancied. I walked into an area I hadn't been to before which I realized I was near a large bus station. It had a big modern egg-shaped roof. I saw the bus to Elivissa, the main city which I came from before from the airport, was only 1.65 EU for a ticket. This is much cheaper than the 40 EU I paid for the taxi ride out in the middle of the night when I first came.
The ride itself was also much more interesting. If you look on a map of Ibiza San Antonio is kind of on the north-west side. Elivissa is on the south side. It was approximately a 25-30 minute drive which went fast as the countryside and small mountain were pretty. The island is much bigger than I initially imagined and it seems to have a decent amount of industry thats not just clubbing, beaches and tourism. The road was new and every intersection on the highway was a roundabout.
When the bus stopped in Eivissa I could tell I was in much more of an actual city than San Antonio. More of a gridded street structure, and generally taller buildings it seemed. I also felt like I was in much more of a foreign country as nearly all I heard was Spanish being spoken. There was some English being spoken here and there but it was definitely the minority. I didn't look at a map and just started to wonder in whatever direction seemed most interesting. I liked the feel of the city. It was relaxed yet more sophisticated somehow than San Antonio. I walked through a city square that had a fountain and beaituful flowering cactus plants. I kept walking about 10-15 blocks in different directions. I finally saw where the roads started to end and tall apartment buildings where located there. I also saw more and more people in beach attire and I knew the sea must be near. I came to a break in the buildings a few blocks later and saw a beautiful promenade next to the blue Mediterranean.
I was impressed with the layout of the walkway along the beach and all the shops, restaurants, bars and hotels. It definitely felt more chic than San Antonio. I could tell the hotels must be more expensive. More of what appeared to be local Spanish people where here. The people who did appear to be foreign where more the minority and seemed to be from all different places. I saw beautiful French, German and Italian people. I enjoyed overhearing the different conversation of which I couldn't understand. This area reminded me of pictures I've seen of the South of France which I haven't yet seen in person yet. These places don't seem so far away now.
I noticed the Spanish I heard was different than the Mexican Spanish I'm used to mainly hearing in the US. I had heard before there is a big difference just between Madrid and Spain. It sounded like it may have more of a French influnce in it which makes sense as its geographically next to France.
I walked all the way up and down the promenade. Enjoying the salt air and the amazing view. I finally stopped on the beach and took some late afternoon sun and took a swim in sea. I really enjoyed this.
I took a few photos here and there but not too many on the beach as I didn't want to be one of those creepy guys taking the photos of the women on the beach. I thought a lot about the cultural differences in the beaches in the US and Europe. After a few days seeing the topless women on the beach really isn't that big of a deal. I did catch myself taking a bit too long of a look a few times.
I could see some land mass off in the distance and was trying to decide at first if it was mainland Spain, then realized that Elivissa is to the south. Also, I didn't really think you could see all the way to the main land as Ibiza is a good ways out into the middle of the Mediterranean. It got me thinking about how you never really get a feel of exactly what something is until you experience it in person. I thought of how I saw lake Michigan for the first time and wondered if I could see Canada on the other side or not. It turns out you can't, but its not completely obvious if you don't know. I mean, I knew lake Michigan was very big, but hadn't been around bodies of water that big before. It turns out you can't see from Ibiza to mainland Spain, at least I don't think you can as of now. I do know that you can see from Coney Island, Brooklyn to Sandy Point New Jersey which I saw last week. When I think about it, this is a much shorter distance than from Ibiza to to mainland Spain. The ferry ride from New York to the Jersey shore is only 45 minutes or so. But the ferry from Ibiza to Barcelona is more like 7 hours. Granted you do have to go a good way along the Spanish coast to come to Barcelona.
I'm not sure what to think of the pictures I've taken so far. I definitely like some of them but they are mainly of architecture, places and random things. Not so many of people. There will definitely be many more photos taken as I still have a week left. My goal is to just keep pushing myself to experience more and meet more people and take photos when it feels right. Things will fall into place in time.
When I was back relaxing at the hotel after a shower I was watching some Spanish show that was like a blooper highlight type of show. They showed some guys at the running of the bulls getting stomped and thrown about by the bulls horns. I hope it will work out so we will be able to participate and see it. We thought of going out of here early but it didn't work out. There is still more to see here in Ibiza and I am enjoying the beaches for sure.
I need to get some sleep now. I just wrote this twice as I lost the first one with this borrowed laptop and unreliable wirless network setup. Live and learn.