In the midst of moving from the Navy Lodge to our new home, my mom mentioned that now would be the perfect time for Gram to come visit. At first, I blew her off. Surely she was joking- I have my hands full with this move and who would want to visit me during this chaos?!
Well. Gram would.
After thinking about it, I called Kelly for advice. She agreed that Gram wouldn't care to see the world. She would want to sit at my house, relax with me, and enjoy some downtime chatting on the porch of my new house. Knowing this would force me to slow down and enjoy my new home, I called Gram.
And she booked a flight two days later.
On July 3, Dad took Gram to the airport and helped her get checked in for her flights before passing her off to airport support staff who wheeled Gram through security! After a long day of travel, I picked Gram up on July 4th from Jerez Airport, where she greeted me with all smiles and a giant neon yellow suitcase!
Over the next 10 days, we enjoyed morning coffees on my rooftop patio, afternoons reading our books in the shade of my downstairs patio, and plenty of good conversations in between. Here are some of our week's highlights:
July 4th Celebration in Rota
After a long day of travel, Gram made it to Rota and started her trip off with a lovely nap in the rooftop shade! One minute we are chatting away, and the next this woman falls asleep on me! Well, if you fall asleep on me mid-conversation, then you get a picture with your mouth open!
The best part of Gram's arrival (besides her actual arrival, duh) was the contraband she smuggled into Spain for me. Yep, that would be a Bojangles Cajun Filet Biscuit that traveled from Goldsboro, NC in Gram's purse!
Was it 24 hours old? Yes.
Did it still taste like heaven? Hell yeah, it did!
You aren't really American if you don't celebrate the 4th with hamburgers & watermelon, so that's exactly what we did! After a yummy dinner, we waited up until 10:45 pm to watch the Base's Fireworks Show from my rooftop!
I'm not sure if you can tell but Hugo has missed his Gram! As her first day ended, Hugo crawled up in bed with Gram for cuddles! Throughout the week, Hugo showed Gram more love than he's shown anyone in a while! He needed to catch up on the 2.5 years of missed lovin' from his Gram!
Wednesday, July 5: Laser Treatment Trial
After sleeping in til noon, Gram and I had a chill day while she adjusted to the Spanish time change! The only thing on my calendar was my appointment at Laserum Rota. Last week I started my search for a new waxing place and I learned that Spain is known for their affordable laser treatments. For the price I'm used to paying for my monthly waxing appointment, I can get my full legs, bikini, and armpits lasered!! What?!
So why not?! Their earliest appointment was right after Gram arrived, so she sat in the car while I ventured out of my comfort zone and tried something new!
Thursday, July 6: IKEA Shopping
Looking back on this blog post, it looks like I just dragged Gram along on all my to-dos around town, but I promise we enjoyed a lot of chill time too! After giving her yesterday to recover, I drug Gram back up to Jerez to spend the day shopping for a spare bedroom set at IKEA!
We got there at 10:30 am and didn't leave until 5 pm...but I left much poorer and with a car full of IKEA boxes filled with a new bed, long dresser, tall dresser, headboard, and all the small random things you "find" while shopping in the famous blue store!
Gram hung in there and enjoyed a lunch of Swedish meatballs halfway through our adventure!
Friday, July 7: Dinner at Kammala
Gram slept in again before enjoying a chill day around my house. Then today's highlight was dinner at Kammala. When I asked Gram what her favorite part of the trip was, her reply was this dinner.
From the ambiance to the drinks to the amazing food, I can tell you Kammala has bumped itself to the top of my must-visit restaurants to take anyone who visits us in Rota! The owner's recommendations were delicious and I learned that this restaurant's menu changes every few weeks based on the local availability.
Gram enjoyed the seabass from the Strait of Gibraltar, while I delved into 12-hour smoked lamb and pumpkin sauce. I know I have to bring Bryan back soon so I can enjoy the pumpkin and foamed cheese salad again before the menu changes- I can't live my life without that salad again!
July 9: Sunday Gypsy Market
Another highlight of our trip was getting Gram out and about to explore the Puerto Sunday Gypsy Market! We got there at 9:30 am and Gram enjoyed walking along the beach and seeing all the trinkets and treasures for sale by locals!
Monday, July 10: Pizza Dinner Date
I had heard good things about Made in South Pizzeria in New Rota, so Gram and I decided to book a quick reservation and check it out! Gram's calzone was filled with Ricotta cheese and my BBQ pizza slapped! 10/10 would come here again!
Tuesday, July 11: Souvenir Shopping
With Gram's trip coming to a close we had to make sure she left with plenty of souvenirs and a few tourist shirts!
As the days passed, we truly had a great time together. Gram really did force me to slow down and enjoy my new home and my new town! Hugo and Reynolds were beyond happy to have their Gram visit too!
And for those who have been following my house-repair adventures...Gram got to experience a little taste of what I've been going through. Base Housing sent out repairmen to fix the dishwasher. Then Julia, my landlord, brought out an electrician so my dryer would stop shocking me every time I touched it. And Jose, my gardener/repairman replaced the flushing mechanism in Gram's bathroom. The adventures never cease!
Wednesday, July 12: Gram's Final Day in Rota
To sum up Gram's trip, we started the day by meeting up with my friend, Meghan, for brunch at Oklahoma Brunch and Dinner, where Gram's pancakes were as big as her head and her fruit platter had me stealing lots of bites!
And the woman couldn't come all the way to Rota without seeing the ocean, so on her last day, we took an afternoon outing to walk out and see the beach! Gram was all smiles as we enjoyed our 8 pm walk along the boardwalk so she could see the Atlantic Ocean from this side!
Thursday, July 13: Airport Drop Off
Our nine days together came to a close on July 13th as we got up early for Gram's airport arrival. After checking her luggage and her walker, an airport assistance worker helped Gram get settled and whisked her off toward security!
While we may not have traveled far outside of Rota, these nine days with Gram were filled with wonderful memories and a reminder for me to enjoy the small moments. Having my best buddy travel across the Atlantic to sit with me and see my new place warms my heart and reminds me of the amazing support system I have cheering me on at all times!
Thank you Gram for coming. There aren't many 80-year-olds who can say they willingly traveled so far to be with their granddaughter! I'm pretty lucky!
Now with Gram's visit under my belt, it's time for Bryan to get here!!!
--Katie
Gram came home a new person! Something about time with her best buddy livened her spirits! I thank God for the relationship you two have. Although we are very jealous that we did not get to love on you (and my puppies!)... this quality time with you was a much needed revival in Grams spirits! Thank you for giving Dad and I Staycation too! We love you!