What is there to do in Rota Spain??

Question

My husband is on orders for next October to Rota, Spain. I speak spanish, so no problems there, but what is there to do there, any good beaches/shopping and what is it like?? I have been to Japan & Korea, but never Europe or Spain.

Answer 1

Rota is a great big base with direct flights to Guantanamo and Diego Garcia on 'towel-head' airlines. There is even a casino with slots, and fast food outlets. Even the water is imported because, well I don't know why.....security I suppose. You know what I mean.

The nice thing is that the locals like Americans, (well they discovered the place!..see the sign in Sanlucar) and you will be welcomed like a long lost brother is your Spanish is fluent. ( The locals speak with a crappy accent. There is no difference between singular and plural, and 12.30 hours and 14.30 hours.'.doe i media'

Va paacah! Read 'Platero y yo' as well.

You speak Spanish so that will help lots.

To know what the locals are like, read 'Fandango Rock' by John Masters, and in Spanish, 'Dona Rosita' by Lorca.

Rota town is not very nice but I can recommend exploring.

I do not like the city of Cadiz but the carnival is a must (if your Spanish is super excellent),

I like Chipiona, El Puerto de Santa Maria (They hav a 'Snow Street' !), Jerez, (except for the Senoritos) and best of all Sanlucar de Barrameda, (mi Pueblo!) for seafood .Bigotes and Mirador de Donana.fantastic food. (expensive but you can go off season!); the horse races (boring) El Coto de Donana.

You can explore the Sierra de Ronda, Grazalema, Arcos and the beaches at Chiclana (La Barossa), Conil, and Tarifa.

Sevile/ Sevilla is only an hour away.

The Ferias and Holy week And the Rocio pilgrimage are fantastic, especially in Sanlucar. (No tourists!)

Viva la Blanca Paloma! (and all that plus flamenco with Manolo Sanlucar et al)

You can live off base. (well I met an officer who did at the Sanlucar boat club).

Cadiz is poor. Do not drive a big American car; they do not treat you well if you do. They are badly educated, there is a big drink and drugs problem, lots of under AND unemployment, a nasty social class structure and they drive badly. I love it!

It is story book REAL Spain.

You will miss nothing thanks to what used to be called the PX............I missed books to read.

I hope you enjoy your posting.