We took another February school vacation. We, Roger andTrisha Underwood, with our children Eileen 16, Calvin 14, Carl 12, Mary 8, and John 6 decided to return to Spain one more time and stay at the same condo we rented two years ago, as there are still places to visit.
During a cold Wednesday morning 16 February, we awoke at 0500 and departed for Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee Massachusetts. At 0700, we checkedin, Roger drove our van to long term parking and walked back to the warm passenger terminal. The staff is very professional, and after inspecting our ID cards and passports, they issued us our boarding passes. At 0930 we were bused to and boarded a C-5A and departed for Norfolk. At 1100, we arrived and the children played on the USO computers. At 1345 the counter announced that our flight will not stop in Rota due to storms and will instead continue on to Sigonella.
From the Norfolk DSN line, Roger called Sigonella Navy Lodge and reserved a room for Thursday night, which he later canceled, and called Sigonella Car Rental but they were closed. He also called Rota NEX Car Rental but they were closed. After boarding, the 37 passengers asked the Loadmaster about the Rota overflight and he was surprised; he checked with the pilot and we are landing at Rota. Another Air Force moment which we all took in stride.
After a nice eight-hour flight, we landed at 0615 Spain time. While we sat in the terminal waiting for the car rental to open at 0800 the children continued their schoolwork and played in the playground. At 0800 the NEX Car Rental opened and there were no vehicles available, as a large group rented all of their cars and vans. So we reserved a room at the Navy Lodge and at 1300 we walked to the Exchange Annex where we rented videos and purchased snacks. After checking into our room with a roll-away bed, we relaxed and walked to Pizza Villa, enjoyed their good pizza, and the kids played in the nice playground. Friday morning, we called and no van yet. We decided to stay with them and not try off-base.
This turned out to be a chance to adjust to the new time zone and relax. This afternoon, our eightpassenger van arrived and we were off to Club Marbella, checked in to our very nice apartment, walked down the hill and enjoyed a nice 62 Euro ($84 US) pasta supper at Little Italy Pizzeria Restaurante, the best garlic pasta in Spain.
Saturday we shopped at the supermarket and drove to Malaga to attend an orienteering event. For dinner, we enjoyed a nice Spanish meal at the nearby El Mirador Restaurante, with great views. However, the children only ate french-fries. After returning we swam in the heated outdoor pool and in the very warm indoor pool.
The next day we visited nearby Mijas, a small white hill village, only thirty minutes east. As we walked around we noticed a column of poisonous Pine Tree Caterpillars, also known as Procession Caterpillars crossing a sidewalk. Then we enjoyed a nice dinner at the outdoor cafe Restaurante La Alcazaba, also known as Pizza Oscar, with great views. After returning to our condo we swam for a long time in the outdoor pool and relaxed on the sun deck. Later, we drove to the very windy Cabopino Beach and watched the windsurfers while the children collected shells and stones. Monday we drove to Ronda, an old city with much history and spectacular views from the cliffs. After we enjoyed the excellent Pizzeria Michelangelo just off the city square, we returned to our condo, and played pool in the game room.
We did not want to only visit cities, so on Monday we drove one and one-half hours to Antequera. It took us one hour to walk the short one and one-half kilometer trail through El Torcal Park, a lovely area of interesting rock formations.
After returning, we swam and played more games of pool with the boys. This evening we walked again to the Little Italy where we enjoyed another excellent dinner. Tuesday, we were off to Malaga where we again parked in the same underground garage as two years ago. Then we paid 4.30 Euro to walk through the Alcazaba which is free on Sundays. This afternoon, we enjoyed a nice dinner at the Vegetariano Alcazabilla restaurant very near the Alcazaba. We returned too late to swim, so we washed some clothes and packed for tomorrow.
Wednesday began the long journey home. After we paid 18 Euro for electric and checked out, we drove to Gibraltar. There we saw the Europa Point Lighthouse and lost our way to Nelsons Anchorage in the narrow streets. We parked in the same free parking as two years ago, where the cable car begins. We walked through town and enjoyed scones at the English Tea Room. At the Grand Casemates Square, we watched two men make glass objects the old way of glass blowing. For dinner we ate fish & chips at the Angry Friar. Two years ago the Cannon Bar was better. There were no customs or waiting going in or out of Gibraltar. At 1800 we arrived at Rota and went direct to the terminal. There is only one KC-10 tomorrow morning. At the annex, we purchased groceries while the children rented videos. Then we checked into our reserved room at the Navy Lodge.
The next morning the KC-10 to McGuire released only three seats, and no other flights were scheduled for the entire weekend. We spent the day in Cadiz, walked along the shoreline, saw an old fort, the children played in the park and playground. After returning to the base, we visited the Information, Tickets and Tours office, and while there we discovered there is a bullfight tomorrow evening in Sanlucar, about thirty minutes north. After the usual Pizza Villa dinner we visited the terminal and learned there is a C-5 to Westover Monday morning. So while the children watched videos, we drove to Sanlucar to purchase bullfight tickets. After some effort and luck locating the bullring, the ticket window was not open and nobody spoke English, not even the police. We will try tomorrow.
Saturday morning we called the terminal and the only flight is Monday morning to Norfolk and Westover. We visited the front desk and asked them to call the bullring to see if the ticket office is open. The desk personnel are always very helpful and discovered the ticket office is now open and that there are still tickets available. We rushed to Sanlucar where we purchased three tickets at 18 Euro each. What luck, and we are delighted.
Back at Rota the children wanted to again eat at Pizza Villa. At 1530 Roger, Trisha and Eileen departed for the Sanlucar bullring where our seats were directly in front of the high school band. From 1700 to 2000 we saw seven bulls arrive very aggressively and depart feet first. Not for the faint of heart, however, it is very interesting Spanish culture. Meanwhile the rest of the children watched videos.
The next morning it was raining and we went to the terminal to check on our Monday flight; however, it is delayed in the desert until Tuesday. We know the reliability of C-5’s and took it in stride. Since the Galley is available to us on Sundays, we enjoyed a nice brunch with ice cream. Then back to the terminal, checked with Moron and that is not an option.
We met another couple who have been there six days waiting for a flight to Norfolk. The next two days we discovered our Monday flight to Westover had been postponed to Wednesday. Again Moron is not an option. So we wait, the children completed their school-work and were happy watching videos.
Wednesday has arrived, we checked-out and drove to the terminal and returned our nice reliable van. Showtime was at 0900. At 1100 twenty-nine of us boarded, and at 1230 departed for Norfolk. At 1500 Eastern time we arrived at Norfolk, the children played computer games while Roger advised the desk that we will be continuing to Westover. The crew unloaded all their cargo and at 1700 we departed. The boys were able to ride up front, and at 1800 we landed at Westover. The on-base bus delivered us to our cold van and at 2100 we were home This will be our last trip to Spain for awhile as there are other places to explore.
Roger C. Underwood
U.S. Army, (Ret.)
Woodstock, CT |
