First Sunday in Rota, Spain

We woke up at 9:45 and walked to the NEX where we got some coffee and breakfast. Energized we walked to the front gate, and then took a cab into Centro Rota to the Iglesia named “Our Lady of the O” Church for 12:00 Mass. Right after Mass there was a big Spanish wedding at the church, and we watched all the fancy–dressed people arriving. All the ladies had extremely spiked heels and fancy dresses. After that we stopped at a sidewalk café; Margo got café con leche, and David got cerveza (beer). Did some more walking and bought some bread at a local bread shop. Ended up walking back to the base and fortunately hitched a ride with the MP’s, both of us were tired and hot and sweaty. We are going back into town tonight to try a local restaurant, but before that we will go by the NEX to buy a jar of peanut butter (for emergency use only).

We just got back from town at 11:30 p.m. – we are now fully integrated into Spanish life. We ate at Cervecia Casa Raul, and had the local specialty – URTA a la Rotena. It is a typical dish of Rota. Based on local produce that combines the taste of sea and land. It was sea brim covered with a delicious sauce of tomatoes, green peppers, onions, garlic, peppercorns, and olive oil. Delicious! We walked around from 10-11 after dinner, and every table of every restaurant was filled with people, and they were all talking non-stop. We stopped at a bar and had a glass of the local wine – Tintilla. We splurged and took a taxi back to the base. Tomorrow we hope to get a car.