There’s only so much research and prepping you can do when you find out your family will be moving across the country. I did as much as I could before we got here to Spain, but the first two weeks were definitely still a whirlwind. Thought I would let you in on some of the local info and first impressions of the area that we are coming to know as daily life:

*During the summer, the sun does not set until almost 10:30. As if jet lag wasn’t enough, getting a toddler (as well as yourself) to adjust to that was a little difficult. The sun rises around 7 am so there is plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors here.

*Eating times are very different than what we are used to. First off, Spanish have a light and late breakfast around 10 am (most places won’t even open til after that time). Lunch is the most important meal of the day as well as the largest. It is usually between 2-4 pm and meant to be slow and enjoyed. Dinner is smaller (this is where tapas come into play) and most places don’t even open for dinner until after 8 pm. A 10 pm dinner is not an odd thing here. Adjusting our times as much as we can to this but we usually just find a place that opens earlier and are usually one of very few people there at that time lol.

*slow slow slow….. Everything here is so laid back. Most people work from about 9-3 during the week (that’s even the times that the kids are in school) and feel no need to rush around or move too quickly. Where Americans will tell you to be somewhere AT a certain time and expect you to be there at that time, the Spanish use a saying “mas o menos” meaning more or less when talking about time. They will say to meet at a certain time and then “mas o menos” meaning we will probably be there within 15-20 min of that time. The lifestyle is SO laid back and there is never a need to rush through life. And if you say “hi how are you” (in Spanish) expect to spend 10 min or so actually hearing how that person is doing and how things are going. That is not a small talk phrase used just to be polite like we use in the states… They really want to know haha.

* children are the most important thing. They Spanish LOVE kiddos. They will greet them first, ask their name before yours, bring their food out at a restaurant first, and any other way they can cater to them will be done. There are parks on almost every other block, almost every restaurant has a playground, they do not expect them to stay seated during dinner or to be quiet, and they will hold their hand or pick them up and carry them around like they are their own without even second guessing it. This is something we have found so comforting and different than in the states.

Just a little info for ya:

The Rota Naval base is located on the coast right next to the town of Rota which is where we have done most of our sight seeing so far. It is a small town of just under 30,000 people but during the two main months of summer, the population rises to around 100,000 people. Rota has the top rated beaches (5 blue flags rating by the European govt) in all of Europe. Just on the other side of the base is a town called El Puerto de Santa Maria (Puerto for short) which is where we will be living. It is a larger town with a little more variety of things like shops, restaurants, a mall, waterpark, etc. We haven’t gotten to spend as much time there but are hoping to move into our house this next week and start roaming around and learning of all the things just outside our doorstep.

And a little Lyla picture of course (cause what would a post be without her). Who needs pants when you have accessories lol

This kid has been such a trooper! A small hotel room with a MINI kitchen… Two adults, a toddler, a dog, a large dog crate, and 6 large suitcases has not been the easiest of living conditions but she (and our dog) have adjusted pretty dang well. We are definitely ready to be in our house though! 🙂