Months back, I contacted Fleet and Family to register for the required ICR class. Inter-cultural Relations is a required week-long course for all new military, spouses & civilians stationed in a foreign country. The class in Sasebo was fantastic and beyond helpful in learning about Japanese culture, so I was already looking forward to the Spanish ICR course. Eventually, I got an email back from Rota and I was booked for the June 26 class...nearly a month after arriving. That just wasn't going to work. So I talked my way onto a waitlist for the June 5th class.
Monday & Tuesday: ICR Class
So after my first week in Spain of filing all the arrival paperwork, and finding a house and car, it was time for week two! I arrived bright and early on the morning of the 5th and checked in as the first waitlist person and was shocked to see empty seats galore. I made it into the class and spent the entire week bored by presentations by all major commands and departments on the base. I barely stayed awake through some by sheer will and my methodic notetaking.
Don't get me wrong, they shared a lot of good information, but a lot of the department info was familiar to me from our previous command.
BUT two good things came from this class:
I made friends- Meghan, a fellow North Carolinian who bonded with me over our cravings for Bojangles and Parkers BBQ- and Juzely, a young mom to a 2-year-old who offered to pick me up every morning and drop me off after the class ended every afternoon. (How kind, right?!)
The field trip around Rota.
Wednesday: ICR Field Trip Around Rota
On Wednesday, we took a break from all the lectures and PowerPoints and enjoyed a field trip around Rota with Rosa, our ICR teacher. This was the Best. Day. Ever.
We started our morning by visiting the gypsy market right outside the gate. Here, I watched people barter over linen clothing sets, sheets, shoes, and bedding. But the best part was the olives! This gypsy market is known for hosting an olive booth, where gypsies have soaked and treated olives in numerous ways. I couldn't pass up the chance for a new opportunity, so I bought "un quarter" of a kilo of garlic olives to try!
They didn't disappoint!
Next stop on our tour was Kamala, a local Spanish restaurant. Here, we met the owner and got to try their house "sherry" wine, their local olive oil with bread, and some of the house's special rice and pork.
When I tell you this place left me wanting more!!! It was delicious and the ambiance was fantastic. I pinned this restaurant as one I want to visit again soon!
It isn't a Rota tour if you don't visit the beach- and that's exactly what we did next! Rosa explained that Rota has earned many "blue flag" awards for their beaches. Apparently, this is a big honor and all European beaches are inspected and rated in this system. Rota is proud to boast that 11 of their beaches have earned this honor (and Spain is ranked number one for being home to over 20% of the blue flags awarded in 2022.)
I was quick to ask Rosa about the beach rules for dogs, and she was kind enough to translate the sign- dogs aren't allowed even on the boardwalks by the beaches from June 1-Sept 14, so our babies will be waiting until September 15th to roll in the sand!
A quick walk from the beach, we visited Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la O, the 16th-century parrish. Walking in, I was stunned of this tiny church's beauty. Knowing this is the first of many churches in my European explorations, I took a moment to bask in the smaller church's beauty.
Rosa gave us a few minutes to wander the surrounding streets, so I snapped a selfie while wandering the cobblestone alleys! I had to ask Rosa about the people-faced planters: she explained that there's a local shop that will take a mold of your face and turn you into a planter. I know Bryan and I's first field trip when he gets here! (What better way to keep the pests away?!)
Up next: Castillo de Luna. Rota's famous landmark now houses Rota's City Hall but once held a hospital and Rosa's elementary school in years past! (Can you imagine going to kindergarten in a freaking castle?! How European!!!)
But the true reason of this historical landmark is due to the fact that it was built in the 11th century as a Muslim convent, during the times when African tribes lived in, what is now, Southern Spain. Then in the 13th century, under the reign of King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella, the Spanish country was united as one, and this castle was "modernized" into the castle it resembles today. Rota citizens are proud to explain that King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella actually visited this castle and stayed on the premise during their reign! (The mural behind Rosa in the photo below pictures this famous scene in Rota's history.)
Yep, I've been in Spain all of two weeks and I have already visited a 16th-century parish and a 13th-century castle.
I have to admit though, the view from the castle roof is going to be hard to beat! Seeing crystal clear waters and the Rota skyline from up above was a pretty beautiful view! (So much so, that I snapped quite a few selfies while up there!)
Our final stop of the tour was to lunch at Cervecería Restaurante La Pérgola in downtown Rota! We were served a variety of tapas and a choice between the house fish or chicken. I went with the chicken and enjoyed every bite! Rosa explained that Spanish food isn't seasoned as much as Americans are used to, which I noticed it lacked the level of salt I'm used to, but the flavor was there! It was also a great opportunity to visit with others in the ICR class while we enjoyed our hour-long lunch!
Thursday: ICR Class & Driver's License Test
Thursday we were back in the classroom to finish off our ICR experience AND I passed my third driver's test. I never thought I would have to take three driver's tests during my lifetime, but here we are!
Not pictured: taking the driving exam, getting a 100% (small brag) and then being told I had to go to the NEX and get a photo for my driver's license because their camera is broken. Then I have to wait another week to receive my official Spanish driver's license. (My patience is wearing VERY thin, y'all!)
Friday: Vet Visit
After "graduating" from ICR on Thursday, Friday morning began with the pups' first vet visit in Spain! After turning in their paperwork over a week ago, we finally got an appointment! The pups were greeted by the sweetest base vet staff and made quick friends with the Spanish vet in the office! An hour and a half later, the pups and I were out of there with their official EU pet passports! They are ready for all their European Travels!
The best part of this visit was confirming Reynolds wouldn't have to be placed on the Spanish PPP list. Spain has a law requiring any "dangerous breeds" owners to have special dog insurance. This process requires a physical and mental health screening for owners, hefty insurance fees, and requires the dog to always wear a muzzle when walking off their property.
Lucky for Reynolds, we have the best vet ever back in NC (cough, cough, Mrs. Shannon!) who classified our girl as a "lab mix" when we adopted her. Between that documentation and the fact that Reynolds greeted the Spanish vet with kisses and extra cuddles, we were off the hook. Praise God! Can you imagine our girl in a muzzle?!
With all this good news, we headed back to the Lodge for a weekend of chilling! (AKA another beach day for me!)
These first two weeks have been packed full and I am finally getting a grip on what our life will look like here in Spain. The pups and I are enjoying our evenings cuddled up, and we finally received the last 4 boxes I shipped from Japan with our sheets and air mattress! I will need those once we get in our new home and are stuck back on loaner furniture!
There were even a few surprise packages that arrived from the Johnsons and the Kimbles!
And you know me, I am already scouring the Facebook Yard Sale pages for plants to start my collection. For $16 I have the aloe plant ready for Bryan's sunburns and some other plants to liven up our patio and start my rooftop garden! Now just get me in our house!!!
Clearly, the pups have found their new "hotel home" to be relaxing. These two are the reason I arrived early in Spain and I wouldn't have it any other way. Just look at how happy we are to roll in Mom's bed and in the freshly washed laundry!!
So while I continue to practice patience for the final time here at the Lodge, I will focus on these sunsets and continue to appreciate the fact that I'm here, living my best life in Spain!
'til next time,
--Katie
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