top of page
Spain (November, 2022)

More photos in the link above

SPAIN

Entry 18 (Dec 1)

 

When planning our trip around the world, Spain was one of two places I chose as a repeat country. I visited 44 years ago, when I went to school in Valencia one summer as a sophomore in high school. And because it was my minor in college, I thought it was time to put it to use (as I will also in Ecuador at the end of our year).

 

We had a two-day layover in Barcelona (where we visited the impressive and beautiful La Iglesia de la Sagrada Familia, which is still under construction as it was when I saw it 44 years ago), and then we flew out west to Jerez de la Frontera and took a cab to Rota, our home for the month.

 

With most of our countries, it was an “eeny-meeny-miny--mo” as to which city to stay. We were more strategic about Rota. The main reason, there is a joint American/Spanish naval base there, and since Woody is retired from the military, we knew we’d be able to take advantage of their facilities. We made it our halfway point just in case we needed medical care or to stock up on some “American” supplies. We really had no idea how charming, picturesque, and special this town would be.

 

It sits on the southwest coast of Spain, like a white oasis on the blue Atlantic. Though not part of the Mediterranean, it certainly has a Mediterranean vibe with busy outdoor cafes, its Spanish/Moorish/Italian architecture, the walkways along the beach lined with palm trees and tropical flowers, and the busy harbor with sailboats, fishing boats, and ferries. 

 

Needless to say, we loved it! Rota and the whole Andalusian area (Southern Spain) is drenched in interesting history from Roman rule to Moorish rule to Spanish rule. The area is dotted with medieval castles and cathedrals, some still in use, others just in ruins. And as a “theatre person,” I was especially delighted with seeing the ruins of a 1st century BC Roman theatre in the town of Cadíz (just across the bay from Rota). 

 

Some interesting facts we discovered and observed:

*Jerez de la Frontera (where the airport is) is where the grapes for sherry are grown. Jerez is Spanish for sherry.

*Flamenco dancing originated in Seville (or Sevilla), the capital of Andalusia.

*The Spanish (at least in Rota) love to walk their dogs. One of our favorite pastimes was watching all the Yorkies, Chihuahuas, huskies, Jack Russells, bulldogs, etc. stroll by or play on the beach.

 

*Tapas (a small plate of food) also originated in Andalusia. 

 

I could write pages about tapas and wine. It is such a tradition (and I love that Café Lola in Johnson City has caught on). Every night, bars, restaurants, and cafés are full of people eating tapas, which is basically a small plate of food. It can be anything from patatas fritas (French fries) to grilled artichokes to olives & cheese to little sandwiches to octopi legs (very popular in Rota). And they’re typically very inexpensive. Our favorite tapas bar was 100 Montaditos. They literally had 100 different tapas, ranging from $1-3. And the wine was $2 a glass. They also were right on the west-facing beach, so we caught many sunsets there.

 

Here’s a few words to sum up this part of Spain:

 

Los Colores de España

 

Azul for the ocean, sky, and the sea

Amarillo, the sun brightening the day

      Rosado and Naranja, at el sol’s rising and set

Blanca is Roja, standing white on the shore

The colors of Spain in my heart evermore.

​

Hasta Luego,

Pam

​

 “The world isn't in your books and maps, it's out there.”

―J.R.R. Tolkien (GANDALF)

​

​

Puerto de Rota at sunset

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

​

bottom of page