Rota! It's where I'm at! PART 1

I get asked a lot, “What is there to do in Rota?”

It may seem it would be obvious what is going on, but it isn’t. The base is a small one and, unless you have a job, quite sleepy. Off-base, Rota can be difficult to navigate (see driving video at bottom of blog), so you may end up in the same places. The locals are friendly enough to Americans, but unless you know Spanish, you won’t get many suggestions from them. Also, the locals and long-timer Americans seem to have the yearly calendar memorized, so there is no need to advertise the big, fun things happening right outside your door. Many times, I have fallen asleep to fireworks, thinking, “Dang it! And I was so bored earlier!” Or I went out one day to find the streets in shambles from the huge town fiesta the night before.

I will explain some starting points, but this is in no way a definitive guide. I am still figuring things out, and the best way to explore Spain, is simply to go outside and, well, explore!

Part 1 - On Base:
The first thing you need to do when you get to Rota is go to the Traveler Section of the MWR website. ITT is the section of MWR that organizes trips close and far. They are very affordable, and John loves them, because he does not have to do the driving, which can be quite boring through all the farmland outside of Rota.

Next, pick up the monthly schedule from Fleet and Family Support. They have 2 fantastic Spanish people working there who organize smaller trips FULL of interesting tidbits about the culture and area, and most of their stuff is free. It is with Rosa and Clemente that I learned how to make Spanish food, learned about jamon and olive oil at the grocery store, and toured the Sherry Bodega. They love what they do, and it shows in their willingness to demystify traditions and ease culture shock.

Because I work there, I must mention the gym. I love it! It is way better than the barn in Patuxent River, and we always have tons of programs always going on. Sports, tournaments, classes (aerobic, spin, water aerobics, yoga, dance, bootcamp, circuit training, etc), races, and more! This weekend is a half marathon, there will be a triathlon in June, and soccer starts next week again for John. We also have a website.

Eating on base is not good and gives you every reason to leave base and try new things. We have Taco Bell (for the 2 of us, it comes to $30 and I always think, “This is the last time.” Oh, and the beans taste like cardboard), Subway (yawn), KFC (do people still eat that crap???), a hamburger place at the airport (plate of grease and a coffee anyone?), and Champions (a sportsbar and café that is dark and depressing, but DO try the Monolo Special, a breakfast sandwich). The Spanish people loooove to come on base for 2 reasons: Baskin Robbins and Pizza Villa, which means these places are usually really crowded. Pizza Villa is boring but decent, and their gigantic calzones are quite good. The only reason we eat so much of it? They deliver.
Update Nov 2009: this is soon to change! We are so excited!! The grill once at Champions is now at the Bowling Alley. They still have the Manolo Special (Thank Heaven!) Champions will soon host an Asian food place that may or may not be run by a local favorite. Update later!

Also on base, we have a small library and small movie theater. They are not exciting but serve their purpose. We have an indoor pool, outdoor pool open in Summer, bowling alley, and small stretch of beach. Go to Expeditions (right by ITT, across the street from the gym) to rent bikes, kayaks, camping gear, or try the rock climbing wall.

The beauty salon is hit and miss.

The commissary (grocery store to the unmilitary) is surpisingly well stocked. I can get most of my favorites, but I do have to import real taco sauce and cayenne pepper. Sugar-free seems to be a bad word here. Thankfully, they have started carrying whole wheat pasta and bison meat (I am on the Clean Eating lifestyle).

The Navy Exchange (department store) is OK. The electronics and kitchen sections are complete and great. Clothes, bathroom decor, make-up, and pet food sections are not. This is my 1st overseas NEX, so I hesitate to judge too harshly. Ijust thank God for the great malls off-base.

Off-base is where the real fun is, so in the next post I will go over what Rota, Puerto, and a couple other close towns have to offer.

Part 3 will be about longer trips to other Spanish cities and beyond Spain-- what is popular and some tips.

I hope this is beginning to answer to some questions. If not, just give me a comment!

Spanish Cooking 101

There is a family-owned restaurant in Rota which let's a group from the base invade their kitchen for a day!

I never have worked at a restaurant, so I found it fun just to be in the kitchen! It was a lot smaller than I thought it would have to be.

They taught us to make:

beef in a veggie-wine sauce

mushrooms cooked in wine

Arranque Roteña, which is the dip form of gazpacho and strictly a Rota dish

Spanish tortilla

and a fruit desert

We drank Tinto de Verano (my favorite), and helped with the preparations, a couple of us at a time. I took lots of notes and soon there is a trip to a Spanish grocery store (so we can learn what the unfamiliar stuff is used for) so I feel pretty confident I could make the dishes again.

After a couple hours of cooking, we all sat down to eat everything. It was delicious of course, and people were arguing over who had made the best tortilla. The arrangue is my favorite and full of garlic, so after a while, I didn't feel too comfortable talking anymore! I tasted garlic until the Next Day!

How to make the Arranque Roteña:

equal numbers (not parts) of chopped:

ripe, red, not-refrigerated tomato

big long curly green mild chili pepper (you know the one, not small)

garlic (may need more depending how small)

and

very good quality virgin olive oil (dark green)

2 day old white baguette bread, munched into VERY fine crumbs (regular bread crumbs may be too soft, but you could try it)

salt

Blend the 1st 3 ingredients very well in a blender (or with a balde on a stick thingie).

Add bread crumbs in stages to make it a thick, pastey cookie-dough texture.

Then add oil in stages to make it smooth. It will still be thick and pastey (NOT creamy).

Both of those ingredients are quite a bit!!!

When you think it has enough oil, add some more! Seriously.

Salt that baby up!

Chill for at least an hour to let marry.

Serve with small slices of baguette bread and long, thick, raw slices of that same chili for dipping. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

It should be really thick and garlicky. The chili should be just the occasional lil bite in the bite.

Tortilla

Beef in sauce and patatas (french fries)


Dessert

Regional Goodness

Some places just have the best of a certain fruit, and once you have it from there, you never want it from another place.

Hawaii has pineapples!

Have a sweet Hawaiian pineapple and you won't open a can of it ever again. At the Dole plantation, they had pineapple chili. I was skeptical, but it was To Die For! Yummmmmm.

We have cantaloupes.

I never really liked them much from CA or MD. They always seemed like the tasteless filler fruit they stick in something, so they don't have to put more strawberries. But not the cantaloupe from here- No Way!

This stuff is so sweet and juicy, it makes those from home seem more related to toast than fruit!

I have heard that Rota's tomatoes are a long the same caliber, but it is difficult to find ones grown here.

What other places have you been and had a fruit or veggie so yummy, that it can't compare to those found in other regions?

Helado

It means Ice Cream. The Spaniards love to come on base for 2 things: Baskin Robbins Ice Cream and Pizzaria Pizza. They say it is better than the stuff out in town, but I liked my strawberry cone. It was very creamy and more milk-tasting than BR31 (as they are known now).

I love/hate to go out on weekend nights. IF we find parking, it is great, but there have been a couple nights, we have given up and went home. It is that difficult.

What I love about going out is all the people out in the streets. It is super crowded. And I don't mean crowded like Main Street in HB with teens and hoochie-mamas. Although there are some of those too, it is mostly whole families. And it is great how all the kids and babies are up and walking around with ice cream cones at midnight! People watching is the best here.

Something old, something new, and lots of blue

John and I spent some time on Monday at the beautiful port in Rota. Many Spaniards were on their boats with their families, sailing, laughing, swimming.

On our way back walking up the pier, we could see our favorite lil section of Rota (the largest picture at very top of this blog) behind all the sailing masts. And behind the 1st wave of buildings, the tops of the Castillo de Luna and old Church can be seen.

~
We went walking around some of the winding streets looking at more places where you can see Rota's ancient history along side its present day activities.

The pink building at the end of the street is the Old Church.

John and I feel so lucky to be living here!

(see all pictures from that day HERE)

A Walk in the Park

Yesterday, John and I saw a park that looked nice and cool, as it was covered by trees. The trails were wooden planks. It smelled like pine. So we decided to stop and take a walk. We had no idea that one of the trails led right to the beach. And as always, it was a crowded day. (Click HERE to see all the photos.)

Another trail led to a botanical garden that is behind a big iron fence. It was closed! On a Sunday afternoon?? We will never figure out Spanish working hours. I swear it.



These lil white flowers were growing in the sand off the trails all over the park. I don't know what they are, but I thought they were pretty and looked out of place really.

More Info on Rota

I can't believe this. Why could I not find this much information before I got here?

Anyway, this is some info from a site on Rota.

It is a great site, and it has many pictures of stuff I know. Of course some of it should look familiar to you after seeing my pictures.

See the whole site HERE.

Rota has become a popular tourist center with its beautiful beaches and proximity to the sherry wine centers of Jerez and Sanlúcar as well as the historically important towns of Cadiz and Puerto de Santa Maria, Medina Sedonia, etc

Rota was founded by the Phoenicians about the same time as they founded Cádiz. They called it: ASTAROTH. And they were of the TARTESIAN empire.
When the Romans came, they called it: SPECULUM ROTAE.
When the Moors came they named it: RABITA RUTTA and it is from there that Rota got it's president day name of Rota.

History-
The city of Rota, because its coastal situation, has been a passage for various cultures and civilization such as Tartesics. Romans, Arabs and finally the Christians conquest, who gave Sancho IV "The Brave" gave the city to Mr. Alonso Perez of Guzman "The Good" who gave it later to his daughter Isabel as a wedding present when she married Mr. Fermin Ponce de Le6n, Maestre of Alcantara and First Lord of Marchena. In 1780 the XIth Duke of Arcos died without succession and the city was taken by the Duke of Osuna. In 1823 this lordship was abolished.

Fiestas-
Rota offers a wide program of festivities such a Carnival (February), Holy Week (April), Spring Fair (May), Urta Festival (August), the Patron Saint Festivities (October).

Monuments-
Parish Church "Nuestra Señora de la O" -

In the XVIth century, Rodrigo Ponce de León, Lord of Rota. Duke of Arcos and First Marquis of Cadiz decides to build a temple in honor of "Nuestra Senora de la Expectación", with a notable decoration, conjunction and highly impressive different styles: Gothic, Isabelline, Plateresque and Baroque.

Luna Castle-

This castle was built on an ancient Moslem "Ribat" from the Xlllth century. The ground floor is a rectangle with five towers. In summer cultural activities are held in its interior.

Merced Tower-

This tower is all that remains of the ancient Merced Convent, which was built in 1600 and destroyed by a hurricane in 1722. Later was rebuilt with the same form and decoration: the second floor is covered with a blue and white glazed tiles.

(See my picture site for my pics of these places.)

Feria Night 2

We went to the Rota Feria again instead of Jerez, so we met our neighbors, Jake and Sara, there with some others. I got to wear my dress, and luckily it was a warm night. At the carnival games, John won me a stuffed animal, a Kenny keychain, and a soccer jersey for him.

CLICK HERE for more pictures.

Rota Feria

Last night, John and I went to Rota's Feria de Primavera (Spring Festival). It is a 4 day party. There are lines of tents with resteraunts, bars, music, and dancing. Talk about bar-hopping made easy. There are also rows of carnival games and rides. Tons of booths for toys and anything you can imagine covered in sugar. The smell of fried food and cotton candy hit me as soon as I got off the shuttle that took us from the base to the Feria.

John ran into a friend under one of the resteraunt tents. We joined them and had a plate of Iberian ham and cured cheese. That along with 2 drinks and a coke was 64 euro. That is almost $100. Live and learn, right?

After that shock, we walked around, ran into more people, took pictures, watched some dancing, and John tried his hand popping ballons with darts.

Tonight, we are going to the Feria inn Jerez, a larger town. I think I am going to wear my Flamenco dress. It may be a lil cool, but it will be worth it.

Many, many women of all ages were wearing their Flamenco dresses, and so were a lot of little girls. Some little girls could barely fit in their strollers with all the fluff from their skirts! We left after 1 AM and the crowd was still growing, including children. But we were pretty broke after dinner.

CLICK HERE to see more pictures.

CLICK HERE to see more video of the dancers.

Flamenco Singers and Dancer

Feria

Feria

is the Spring Festival.

I have heard that it is much more fun than Mardi Gras!

It is a party in the street for the whole town. John and I plan to check out the ones in Rota, Puerto, and Cadiz. Cadiz is actually famous for its crazy ferias.

Click HERE to learn more about Feria, and HERE for some pics.

They are during different weeks, so we can space it out a lil bit.

Traditionally, women wear Flamenco dresses to Feria, so they can break into dance at a moment's notice.

John and I went to a bazaar today, and I picked up a flamenco dress. They come in many, many different colors and styles- all of them weigh a TON. I wanted a more crazy colored one (I had on my eye on an orange and brown one), but this was the best one in the end. Plus, it fits, so I do not have to pay tailoring on top of the dress price.

This dress is actually comfortable. The ladies seemed to prefer that you wear a more tight one, but they don't have to wear these things all night long, walking up and down streets.

New Video

I added a new video near the end of the blog.

I have been trying to tell Nessa about the narrow streets here,

so I took a video while John and I were on the way home from the Egg Man

(my hook up for local happy-chicken eggs).

Notice the bumpy stoned road and the tiny or non existant sidewalks or the sharp turns.

Enjoy!

If it is not working well on this site,

you can also see it HERE.

Rated R Chinese Dinner

This is 100% true.

John and I went to eat at a Chinese restaurant this afternoon. It looked and felt like any one in the U.S. The only differences were that they had sushi on the menu, and of course they spoke Spanish.

Everything was delicous. At the end of the meal, John had ice-cream and I had cafe solo. John asked for the check, and with it, the server brought 2 very small shot glasses with Chinese artistry painted on the outside. He filled them from a bottle and told us that it was sweet rice wine. They were tiny glasses, so we decided to try it. When we picked up the glasses, John said, "Hey, there is a picture at the bottom!"

We looked closer. It was of a man. Wearing a smile. And nothing else. And he seemed to be very happy about whatever he was smiling about. Very happy. I drank mine (it tasted like apple juice) and John's too. He said he did "not like the drink." I don't think it was the drink.

Anyway, when you drink the liquid, the bottom of the cup is rounded glass, so you can no longer see the picture. It is too distorted by the glass.

Intrigued all over again, we both filled our cups with water to see the picture come back up. No pun intended. I don't think we started laughing about it until we got all the way back to the car. It was sort of like, "Did we just see...? Yeah, we just saw....! Ok."

We cannot wait to try a different Chinese place to see if we get free "shots" at the end of our meal. John is hoping the pictures are of women next time.

Sunday Seven

Or Monday Seven, if you will.

This week is the Monday Seven List of Did Ya Knows

Did ya know:

1) I start school tomarrow night?

2) Rota is infested with Magpie birds and rollypolly bugs (or is that just my house)?

3) Third and fifth gear can be (and by me ARE) used interchangably?

4) I have over 1000 hits on my blog and have two comments by strangers who were interested in a post?

5) Hockey's regular season is almost over?

6) I hoed a big circle in my backyard for an herb garden (the herbs go in tomarrow-yay) and have the blisters to prove it (I am hard core when it come to gardening-haha)?

7) Nima has an appointment tomarrow for his breathing problems (wish us luck)?

Well, now ya know!

Semana Santa Procession

As far as I understand, which is very little since I am neither Catholic nor a long-time Rota resident, there are processions (parades) on different nights leading up to Easter. Click HERE to read about the larger one in Sevilla.

This is when very large, very old relics from churches are put onto ornate platforms and carried through the streets. Preceided and followed by numerous people in the religous robes with pointed mask/hats.

Tonight, being Good Friday, was supposed to be a good time to go. John and I went down to our favorite Plaza by the Castillo, because that is where the Rota Tourism Office is. Only, it being a Spanish holiday, they were closed. Luckily, there was a guy in the front desk of the Castillo itself who had information.

He said the procession was starting at 7:30 at a church quite a bit away. They would be in our lil Plaza around 9:00, and then head back, returning to their own church at 1AM! Well, at least it is not in the sun, right?

It was only about 5:30, but we knew if we had left, we would never get parking again. And poor John was wearing a t-shirt and sandles. Not the best attire for night-time festivities. But we were determined!

So we hung around the plaza, having endless cafes, tintas, and tapas. Finally, we walked over to the beach. It was so beautiful watching the sun set over the Atlantic (weird for me). There were tons of people who also wanted good parking already around the beach and plaza. The kids were all dressed nicely, and some wore what looked to be white 1st Communion gowns with gold crosses on gold chains. They looked so cute.

Of course, we ended up back at our favorite lil Pastelaria (pastry shop) for some sweet things we still do not know the names of. Only this time, it was full of people! She was making a killing tonight!

We went back to the cafe and sat inside, because John was freezing of course. We sat there and watched a little girl about 3 playing a slot machine while who I assume was her father knocked back shots. Somehow, it made sense to look at it. I think I am already getting affected this place!

It got more and more crowded, and there were big carts in the plaza selling animal balloons and cheap kid's toys and colored popcorn and nuts. What does all this have to do with Good Friday? Well, I suppose as much as chocolate eggs have to do with Easter.

Closer to 9, the cafe and the plaza were full of people. Some of them were dressed in their robes, carrying their pointy hats (those things are talllll) and one older lady was dressed all in black lace, like an old painting of Mary; her dress is called a Mantilla. She scared John.

As you have seen, the church, castle, plaza are all squished together, so we had a wonderful spot to see it come through!

There was already a clear path for the procession, and waiting there were some people in the robes. They wore white robes with green hats. They carried 4 feet long white candles and held them out like jousting sticks. Some were little kids!

After a while, we could hear music coming up the street, and the berobed people in front of us got into formation and started walking. Then, the whole sky filled with smoke. Incense!! It smelled sweet and yummy! The music got louder, and we could see a HUGE crucifix making itself up the road. It was on a huge platform. More berobed people were in front of it. The people carrying it were hidden undernieth, and they walked in a way, so the platform sort of bounced with the music.

It came to a stop at the entrance of the church and sort of lowered, as if bowing. Everyone clapped. So we clapped. After a few minutes, it was rehoisted into the air, and this is also done in a very organized way, so that it makes a very jerked motion, as if it were (which I guess it is) thrown into the air and caught before it falls. This is a very exciting sight, because it is HUGE!!!! Of course, we all clapped again. Very cool.

Then, it turned in place, bouncing to the music, and walked through the plaza. After the crucifix, was what looked to be the Spanish Navy Band playing all clarinets or trumpets or both. Not sure. The music was pretty upbeat considering it is supposed to be a very solemn event. As I told John, it sounds like the part of the movie where you are supposed to cry because the two people who thought eachother was dead, see eachother and run accross a beach, and hug, or something like that. Less cheesey though.

After the band, were many more berobed people with candles and large gold crosses and stiff, velvet flags with biblical quotes.

Then comes a platform 3 times the size of the last one!!!!!!

It was Mary surrounded by massive, lit candles, lanterns and flowers. As she came closer, the last band's music had just melted away and different music was following her. Perfect timing! She also filled the air with more smoke.

The base was like filigree and there were 4 posts that hung a canopy over itself. The posts were rigged so that they swung A LOT back and forth as the carriers bounced it. And the canopy was dark velvet with gold tassles that hung down so they too swung like crazy. At first, I thought the whole thing was a bout to fall down, but it seemed to be the desired effect.

Mary came to the front of the church and also lowered. We all clapped, and someone from the church did what we believe was extinguish a candle then add flowers to her platform. Again, after a few minutes of which I am sure was welcomed rest for the carriers, she was hoisted up the same way. However, since she already looked less stable than the crucifix, this one was even scarier to watch! So we all clapped that she did not fall and crush us all, as she turned in place and bounced away.

After her was a concert band playing all kinds of instruments. Followed by more berobed people. Then, I suppose it was over. It was hard to tell, because no one was leaving, but the paths all filled in, and the church door closed, and the music and smoke were trailing away. As john and I made our way back to the car, we saw tons of people coming INTO the plaza! Maybe there is something else afterwards, maybe they were coming for mass. I do not know, but John and I were already pretty impressed (and freezing), so we went home.

OK, here is the SAD news.

My horrible camera luck has followed me to Spain. John took a couple photos of the first berobed people hanging out in the paza before it really started, and then the battery completey died. When Mary came, he tried to get photos and video with his phone, but it was totally malfunctioning and kept saying that it was busy!

I am hoping in a couple days, there will be some photos or video of what we saw. Tons of people were taking photos, and there were a few professional videos being made.

The whole thing was so interesting, fun, and a lil confusing at times. I told John it was like Disneyland. The air smells like cotton candy, kids are up way too late, and their is a huge crowd. There is also the same unreal feel about it. Like you stepped into another time or demension.

Can't wait until next year. John will have a jacket, the camera will have a battery, and hopefully, I will know more about what I am looking at.

These are the pics John got before the procession really started and our battery died:

The following are pics of me and the beach

(click HERE to see the album of these photos on my photo site):

Another Day out in town and in the yard

John- just outside the Mercado Publico.

John and I spent most of today in Rota.

First, we went to a restraunt just out of the base gate where we had molletes con chicharon. Mollete is the bread- a toasted roll, and chicharon is pork (of course!), and it comes with tomato, olive oil, and sea salt. It is good, because everything is fresh. I had it with a cafe solo(expresso), so my breakfast looked very similar to the one above. They put cofees in those lil tumbler glasses instead of cofee cups. Most Spanish dishes are very regional. For example, Molletes in Rota will look different from those in Sevilla or Barcelona. Most of the food here is VERY simply made, but with fresh ingredients.

The guy behind the counter kept breaking into song while we ate. I wondered if we were supposed to tip him for the entertainment.

Then, we went to the Mercado Publico, which is their version of a farmer's market. It was pretty small and mostly just fish. But we found a small place that looked like a closet on the way back that had fresh veggies, fruit, and eggs. So, it was not a loss after all. I think maybe the Mercado has more during the weekends.

This is what the Mercado Publico looks like from the outside. Inside it is an open air plaza.

At that point, we were right next to the plaza by the Castillo de la Luna, which I love! So we went back to the pastery shop that was closed last time and bought a bunch of sweet things that we do not the know the name of. We just pointed. Although, John did have a doughnut.

The very cool Castillo de la Luna. It has banners today, unlike when I have seen it before. Maybe it is for Semana Santa.

We took the sweets to a cafe between the castillo and the church- right in the plaza, and had wine and talked for a loooong time. What I had called a "tinto" before is actually called a Tinto or Vino de Verano. The word tinto by itself used in a bar will just get you a glass of red wine- which we learned today!! The tinto de verano is the wine plus soda water over ice. Much yummier than Sangria, I think, because it is not as sweet. And it is the only wine drink that John likes.

I love that place. We have been there before, and they have a menu, but neither John nor I could figure out what was on it. I need to bring a cheat sheet.

The castillo is on the left, the church on the right, and the umbrellas belong to the lil cafe I love-under the red fabric. It is hard to see, but there is a large fountain just in front of it.

It has been a lil cool here lately. It is sunny, but the wind is chilly. We froze at the St Patty's Day party that John's chief gave yesterday.

Tonight John has a soccer game, and he wants me come and be cheerleader. Hope I do not freeze!

Click HERE for the today's Rota photos.

Click HERE for some new pictures of the yard, my plants, Moo, and Nima.

Moo is only allowed out on his leash that is attached to a stake in the ground. Overprotective, I know.

The yard wraps around the house, so the part with patio and awning is really the side, and the picture with Nima and the fence is the back. Some plants are in pots, but the herbs I want in the ground. That will take some work, and I am still not sure where I want them. I have 5 lilies coming up as well! Yay!

Better Rota Pics and Semana Santa

Of course, my photos are fun,

but Jess found this site of ONLY Rota pics. Some of them are so gorgeous, and you can see some of the dress and festivities of the Semana Santa going on right now. Also they do things like pay attention to the horizon line ;0)

Click HERE to see the site.

They wear robes and mask/hats that look exactly like the KKK, but they are black, white, or red. They are a centuries-old religious costume. Why the KKK adopted it, I will never know.

Thanks Jess!!!!

John and I relax in Rota

A couple days ago, John and I had a VERYYYYY Spanish day in Rota. Spaniards are all about chillin' and we did just that.

First, we went for a walk along the beach. Not far from the gate to the base. It looked a lot like San Diego to me. Low waves, fine sand, boardwalk, then overpriced homes and cafes and resteraunts. I was struck, however, by the cleanliness!! It was imaculate by CA standards.

We stopped at a place called Ruta 66. Yes- that is supposed to sound American. The reason why, is it is the only place along the boardwalk open at 12:30- American Lunch time. Spaniards go to lunch starting at 3!!! I know this, because you cannot possibly get off base at that time. That is when all the Spaniards are leaving for their lunch.

So, we had a couple small sandwiches (what they LIVE on here) and Tinto (red wine mixed with sparkling citrus water).

Then we got nice and lost before we found the plaza I went to with my class. I had wanted to visit a pastry shop there. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOps- forgot the siesta!! They closed at 1:30 and would not open until 5!

Fine. We walked to the front of the Castillo de la Luna where there is a cafe. We people- watched or dog watched really. I saw more dogs than people at that time. Must be dogwalking time. John had a cafe con leche (expresso and milk) and I had a cafe solo (expresso). There is a big fountain there, and we just chilled- Spanish Style!

After a LOOONG time, we left, and I remembered that there is a tourist office in the Castillo I have questions for, as the Semana Santa (Holy Week full of parades and music) starts next week. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOps- still siesta-ing. Jeez, time-wise we are so OFF!

So we went to Carre-four Express, which is the smaller version of the Carre-four store that I maintain is the coooolest ever (the reason I will never miss Target).

Then we finally returned to the base, as it was dinner time to us- about 4 hours early to the Spaniards. We stopped at Pizza Villa and had, well, Pizza! I wanted Marinara sauce for my garlic bread, and the Spanish chef treid to give us mayonnaise!!! He had never heard of Marinara sauce. And he works at a pizza/pasta shop. Lovin it.

Before we came home, we met up with some friends- Juan and Tiffany- to go to a garden place to shop for plants and patio furniture. This place is HUGE! I must take pics of some of the stuff they have- so cool.

I picked a table that is $300 without chairs, and we decided to wait.

Plants first.

1st Rota Trip

An archway over the street. Why? 'Cause they can!

Yesterday, I went on my first formal trip to Rota, the town outside of the base, with a class that teaches you how to aclimate to Spanish Culture.

Most of the pics (click HERE for pics of trip) are of the Castillo de la Luna, which was built by the Moors in the 13th century. After that it was a home for the Ponce DeLeon family, the first school in Rota (where our class guide went to until the 80's), and then a sort of civil hall. They changed the chapel in to a beautiful, formal civil hall for civil weddings.

The Castle had been restored in the 80's. That is when they found all the marble, limestone, and Moorish paintings under all the dirt and centuries of repainting.

The inside plaza of the Castillo de la Luna.

We also went to the fish market, which is fantastic.

They are local caught fish from that day. The shellfish are still alive!

I cannot wait to go back and start learning how to make these fish the Spainsh way.

They said that small/medium fish are usually just served to you whole. Spaniards are taught at a young age how to properly (and with good manners) clean and eat the fish right there on the table!! Hmmm. I don't know about that. Our class guide said it takes some skill and practice.

Then we went to the Gypsy market, which looks like a very small swapmeet. They mostly have shoes and fabric. No kidding. That's it.

But apparently people go there to get olives, which are very famous in the area. I don't like olives, but I wanted to see what the fuss was about, so I braved the CRAZY wind we were having yesterday just to find out they had left already.

The downtown area and beaches of Rota are gorgeous!!! Beautiful!! But nothing will make you feel like a big, fat American like their teeny lil sidewalks and tiny lil doorways. One girl in the class had a stroller, and she could hardly get through some of the doors.

The last place we went befoe lunch was the main church of the town.

It is huge and pretty plain from the outside, as it was unfinished. It is centuries old, but I cannot remember how many. Inside, though, it is ornate and beautiful.

There is the main section in the middle, which is hardly used.

Then there are lil chapels off the main one for certain saints. Our Lady Rosary is the town patron. So she has one. Then there is one with a saint for sailors. And a few others. They are each totally different looking in feel, color, decoration. I could not take pics, as I could not get my flash to turn off.

Then we went to lunch. We had lunch around 1:30, which is rediculously early for the Spanish, so we were the only ones there. (Don't forget to read about the different meal times in the link list to the right. Very interesting and a bit of culture shock.)

It was a very fun trip, and I cannot wait to go back to some of the places and look at some new ones!! Before you ask, YES, they have Mexican resteraunts, but I have been told by many that it is very different than what we know as Mexican food and the Spanish do not eat anything spicier than a lil black pepper!

OH!!! ALSO, very COOL! You know how much I love the Framer's Markets? Well, they have 2 just in Rota that are open 7 days a week. I am in heavan!!!!

This is a painting in the Castillo de la Luna

that depicts Queen Isabeela and King Ferdinand coming to the castle.

It was under their rule that Spain was reconquered from the Moors and returned to Catholisism. They are bringing the Spanish flag of the time to Rota to commemorate that Rota is under Spainish rule. They actually stayed in the castle while they were here.

IF you remember your history, you should remember that they are ALSO the

famous Spanish monarchs that financed

Chrisopher Columbus for his

1492 trip to

"India"!