Rota, Spain

LINKS:        MAP of Rota     HISTORY of Rota     PICTURES of Rota

We are so lucky to have 2 homes - one in Halden, Norway and one in Rota, Spain.  While we are in Norway, dad’s son Ray has the whole apartment in Spain to himself since Anuska is in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The apartment is big and nice with 3 bedrooms, livingroom and kitchen.  We also have a great terrace where I can go between the bars and go out to the grass to pee or chase lizards when I see them.  Really, I should go out to smell all of the beautiful flowers in the garden, but I am not like Ferdinand the bull!  It should be enough that mom sticks her nose in the roses and other sweet smelling flowers. (Click Picture)

Our apartment lies within walking distance of the whole town.  Mom and dad always take me with them for a walk to have a cup of coffee or glass of beer someplace.  But sometimes they make me stay home alone or with Ray while they go out to eat dinner in a restaurant.  I would gladly go with them, but not brother Ray.  Lucky for me!  I have tried to tell Ray that I am very good at getting young girls attention for him if we go for a walk together.  I thought he has seen that because he is very clever and takes me with him when mom and dad are away.

The best thing about Rota is that it is so nice and warm.  Some days it is a little too warm for me and then I will not go out for too long.  But many times I am the first to run to go out.  I also did that when mom and dad took me to the feria, but I soon changed my mind and wanted to be at home with Ray. It was scary hearing the loud music and other noise there.  Also there were many horses there.  Luckily dad put me in the car so that I could relax. (Click Picture)

Mom and dad admired all the pretty dresses (gypsy dresses) and  what do you know - mom got herself a dress just like them for herself too.  Look at the picture to see how beautiful she was! It was bought in Rocio in the Doñana national park when we were there on tour.  Mom and dad also visited the church where Rocio is.

It was a long trip to get there because no one can drive through the national park to Rocio.  Only those who make the pilgrimage at the end of May/beginning of June every year.   They can take the ferry across the river from San Lucar ( a neighboring city) and get to Rocio via the sand dunes.

We had to drive up to Seville and almost to Huelva before we could drive into Rocio.  Rocio is almost like an old western town with just dirt streets, and posts along the street to tie up horses.  The church is very beautiful and well worth the trip. (Click Picture)

We also make many trips on to the naval base in Rota. Mom and dad shop for American food and some other things in the store there. Mom really likes to shop there. They have something called ‘Starburst’ which she can never go past without getting some. Hmmmmmmmmm….

Also I believe they have a local bar called Pepe’s. Dad used to go there for coffee or tea every morning before he got married to mom. He read the newspaper and chatted with the other patrons. It is a place where many Americans go to. It happened sometimes that the coffee changed to a beer or three before the bar closed! I think Pepe must have cried the day dad got married with mom, for then he lost a good customer. They still go there once in a while when they are in Rota to have some ‘tapas’ which are typical Spanish snacks. The kitchen is clean and the food is very good. Also they have the world’s best beer there –   That is something that both mom and dad readily agree on!