One year ago today, we were getting off a plane, blinking in the strong Spanish sunlight, staring in awe at Rota's colorful buildings, and smiling at every palm tree. We were also immediately informed about the terrorist attack in Benghazi, and told that my husband would be swept away to work long shifts at work, while we were left to move, get settled, and find our way around mostly on our own.
The first month was hard. Very hard. Everything was a challenge. I learned to drive stick shift the day after we arrived, because that's what we had in the rental car. There was such an enormous amount of paperwork, checking in, and registration to be done... And we had to do it all with 3 kids in the car. Everything I tried to get done seemed to take 2 or 3 more steps than anticipated, making for frustrated exhaustion over simple tasks like getting money from an ATM, using a phone, getting groceries. Our household goods didn't arrive for the first month of our stay, so we camped out in our huge empty house, desperately trying to entertain 3 children who weren't in school yet with a limited supply of books and toys. Insanity. Did I mention that my husband was working 12-hour shifts and sleeping at work? Yes, a year ago we were not having fun.
But...eventually we found our way, received our furniture and our minivan, bought a GPS, enrolled children in preschool, made friends, joined groups, developed routines...
And travelled.
Our first big trip was to Portugal at Christmas. We didn't really feel like we were in a settled routine until January. Then it was the cold rainy season, so we couldn't go anywhere until March. But since then, boy have we been busy! Visitors, and day trips, and family adventures together. Late dinners in town, walks along the beach, soaking in the sun, the culture, the tastes, the experience.
And it has been wonderful.
I was thinking about making a list of things I miss, but it honestly isn't much. We have been blessed with family visits, and we keep in touch with phone calls and emails as well as we did when we lived in North Carolina. I miss some friends, but I have made some new ones. Occasionally I miss certain American food, but I can make most dishes with Commissary ingredients, and the food here is always good.
But things I have gotten used to? That is a longer list.
- roundabouts. Love them. Fewer traffic lights, more opportunities to find your exit.
- palm trees waving in the wind
- an ocean view during my runs
- going for walks on the boardwalk and getting ice cream
- watching the sun set over the Atlantic
- saying gracias, adios, vale, claro
- putting olive oil and salt on bread
- eating olives with pits for snack
- naked kids at the beach
- tiny narrow streets and parking spots the exact dimension of my van
- strangers touching my children in the street and saying 'Que guapo!'
- buying seafood that is still staring at me, then taking it home and cooking and eating it
- packing up snacks and activities, then taking my kids on exploring adventures of new cities
- living near 13th century churches, Roman ruins, and Moorish castles
- adding Sprite to wine to make instant tinto de verano
- no commercials on TV
- walking my daughter to and from school
- lots and lots of sunlight
- telling my kids to 'ven aqui!' And hold my Mano.
So yes, it has been a pretty great year, and we are looking forward to 2 more! :-)
