La Pepa — The First Spanish Constitution

I dragged Jerry on a very long walk today. He doesn't know it yet, but we walked more than 3 km (around 2 miles) to reach our destination. (I can just imagine the groan I'll hear when he reads this post.) I walked roundtrip. He took a bus home. Jerry needs new gym/walking shoes; his current shoes are worn out and not very comfortable. Finding size 14 (Spanish size 49) is not easy. People in Spain don't have big feet like Americans.

SHOOTING INTO THE SUN.

Miguel told us last night that a replica of a Spanish galeon was here in Sevilla until Sunday, and I really wanted to see it. The galeon was built in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus's so-called "voyage of discovery."

LOOKING SOUTH FROM ABOARD LA PEPA.

The ship was originally called the Galeon de Andalucía, but has been renamed to commemorate the 200th anniversary, 19 May 2012, of the first Spanish constitution. The Constitution of 1812 was one of the most liberal of its time, establishing universal male suffrage, national sovereignty, constitutional monarchy, and freedom of the press. It also supported land reform and free enterprise. It lasted all of two years. Ferdinand VII returned to Spain in 1814 and abolished it. But it was reestablished a couple of times in the 1820s and the 1830s.

LOOKING NORTH, BACK TOWARD OUR HOUSE.
YOU CAN JUST BARELY SEE THE ANCIENT TOWER OF GOLD IN THE CENTER DISTANCE.

The Constitution was written on the Dia de San José (Saint Joseph's Day). The nickname for José is Pepe. In Spanish, the word for constitution is feminine. So, the Constitution was nicknamed La Pepa. Ships are female. So the galeon is also called La Pepa. It all makes perfect sense.

I THINK THE WHOLE THING WAS "RIGGED." (GROAN)

The galeon is making its way around the country. It's already traveled to Spanish cities on the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean, such as Bilbao, Santander, La Coruña, Huelva, and Cádiz.  It still has to travel up the east coast of the country on the Mediterranean Sea to Valencia, Barcelona, and other places along the way. It will return to the Atlantic to be back in Cádiz (where the constitution was produced) for the commemorative festivities mid-March. As we approached the greeter at La Pepa's gang plank, I thought, "OK. Let's see how much THIS is going to cost." Well, it was free! And there were docents (the crew) onboard available to answer questions. And a little brochure, also free, along with free postcards (so I can write to my brother).

ONE LAST LOOK BEFORE WE WENT FOR A SNACK.

It was another glorious day, very warm in the sunshine. And there was an abundance of sunshine. After our long walk and (free) tour of the ship, we stopped at one of the two restaurants on the port. I assumed it would be absurdly expensive, being a tourist restaurant. I had a beer. Jerry had a soda. And we each had a delicious, large, and fresh pastry. All for 7 Euros (around $9)! And, as is the norm in Spain, my beer was 60 centimos (around 80 cents) less than Jerry's Coke. I drink beer and wine to be fiscally responsible.

ONE OF TWO RESTAURANTS PORTSIDE. IN BACKGROUND IS SEVILLA'S DANCE CONSERVATORY.