Our Christmas Tree

I didn't think we were going to have a Christmas Tree this year but Jeremy found one he liked... and well we used our savings but we now have a Christmas Tree. He bought us one of those pre-lit trees because that is all the NEX sells but it is really beautiful. He said he always wanted a Christmas Tree that looked like it had snow on it, and when he saw this one he was inspired I guess. I myself never would have thought of getting one like this but it really is beautiful.

Well the other really cool thing about our tree is that I made all the ornaments with the exception of 2 the star at the top and our Christmas ball from Gibraltar.

I didn't think we were going to have a tree so I bought a kit to make some ornaments and place around the house but I was delighted to get to put them on a tree, to say the least. I love our tree. It really is beautiful.

My favorite part is most likely the cranberries I strung. 7 lbs. to be exact, and it took a long time but they are lovely. Jeremy helped believe it or not and we even strung some of our cardboard stars on the cranberries as well. We both thought it added a really nice touch. Well here are the pictures I took of the tree and the stockings. I will have more after Christmas of us and what we did that day. Love You All, Becky

Our Trip To Gibraltar

Traveling to the Rock of Gibraltar
On our way to the Rock of Gibraltar Jeremy and I had a lot of challenges. First we decided to go early enough to see the sun rise, well this meant we had to get up around 5:30am and be there by 7:30am. We got up ok but I got sick to my stomach from getting up so early and then as we were leaving (leaving late might I add) Jeremy forgot his ID to get back on the base.  As we were starting out to drive, it was the first time Jeremy used the GPS and he couldn't make heads or tales of what it was telling him to do. Oh, and did I mention that I had to stop on the side of the road to pee because I got so scared riding in the car with Jeremy driving through thick fog (he likes to drive fast).

Sadly it didn't stop there, by now it should be no surprise that about 500 feet before we reached customs Jeremy asked me to get out the passports and it just so happened that Jeremy didn't have his tourist passport with him...only his no fee passport. Well I start to cry because I don't want to go in with out him and he tells me that I have to go because he won't pay for me to come back...blah blah blah, we get to customs and they glance but just wave us through. I couldn't believe it! I was so thankful and we really enjoyed the day.

These are some pictures from our sunrise on the way there watching the landscape of Spain come to life.

This Bull represents Osbourne Cherry Wine Company

These are wind turbines that are always going because it is so winding here. Living in an area without a lot of trees has its at vantages.

The mountains here are very pretty too.But it is not like the mountains in Tennessee, they are not as big for the most part, and not as green. 

 

The Gibraltar Country

 The rock of Gibraltar is made of Limestone and just like you would expect, looks like a giant rock. On our way into Gibraltar the country you have to travel across a very large airport runway. Most people just walk across because the country of Gibraltar is so small. 

Interestingly enough Gibraltar is like the Bahamas is to the UK but a little different. I don't know all the differences but like you can use Gibraltar Sterling or British Pounds or Euros (tenders or moneys) there as a form of currency.  Gibraltar has the same school system as the UK and they have had their own Parliament since 1970 something. The Queen of England appoints a new governor to Gibraltar every 3/4 years (sorry, can't quite remember that either).

Any who, these are the pictures of the runway from up on the rock. The runway is actually a large air craft carrier that was positioned in the water and then fixed now into place. The taxi guide said, it was at one time the largest airport runway in the world. And it is still very big in comparison to other air strips. The first picture is the east side and you can see the cross section in the middle that drive or walk across, the second picture is of the west side.

  

This is one of their British flags flying over a place were they use to store weapons, it looks like a small castle.

This is a small entrance into the main square of Gibraltar just at the base of the rock. There are three of these small halls you can enter from.

This is the old garrison (At least I think that is what he told us, I am so forgetful sometimes.) that faces the Straight of Gibraltar.

 

These are just some pretty houses on the way to a small village that over looks the Mediterranean ocean and Africa.

This church is a replica of Notre Dame just smaller. I didn't get to go inside but it is really lovely right? This is something I would like to do if I get to go back, visit all the churches there. They are beautiful.

This picture is actually looking at the Straight of Gibraltar. The small piece of land on the right side is Spain. The body of water in between the red boat and that piece of land is the Mediterranean Ocean. If you are looking at the body of water on the other far side of that piece of land you are looking at the Atlantic Ocean. And the slight hint of land on the back left side is Africa. It is only 14 miles to Africa from where we were standing on top of the rock (or one of the pillars of hercules).

The Pillars of Hercules

The two mountains that stand on either side of the Straight of Gibraltar are called the two pillars of Hercules. They look like the two sides use to be one mountain and the myth is that Hercules pushed them apart. 

 

This is the statue talking about it the pillars. Before is statue stood here, there used to be big guns in its place  to protect the country and the straight during many wars, especially the World Wars when they would all huddle in the caves within the mountain at night to protect them from the bombs.

   

This is a picture from the northern side of the rock looking at both pillars. You can see the Spanish rock on the left side and the Africa pillar is in the middle. I really like this picture for some reason. It was about 9:30 am when I took this one.

 

This the Spanish pillar with the statue.

This is Africa's Pillar and if you look closely you can see small Spanish colonies at the bottom. The fog was still thick, this one was taken about 8:30am.

The Monkeys

The Moors brought monkeys with them to the other side of the straight way back in the day. I can't remember exactly what our taxi tour guide said but I think he said it was like the 13th century. The monkeys are really neat though because they just live with the people like squirrels in DC do. They come up looking for food except they are friendly and it is very rare that attack people. Anyway, they are really nice and cute, just don't look at their butts, they are weird looking. 

These two were just sitting on this truck waiting to steal ice cream from people.

This shot was taken when I wanted to get the back side of the rock and this two just seemed to  feel that other things were more important. I mean they were inches from me and wouldn't even look my way.

She was enjoying an apple that the vets gave to her that morning.

While her baby was more interested in us.

St. Micheal's Caves

Inside the mountain you can see stalagmites and stalactite formations.

 

They also use the caves as a way to escape from the bombs during WW2 and now they also use the caves for symphony performances, and more.

The Rock of Gibraltar

I got to take several pictures of the rock its self. I hope you like them.

This one was taken after the monkeys moved. It is where if I had been thinking properly should have taken a shot with Jeremy and I together, because it shows the shape of the rock very well, and it is very distinctive. Oh, you live and learn right.

Our taxi driver Derek took this for us, and though Jeremy is making a weird face and the fort is very faint. You are in fact looking at the top of the rock here. The sun was intense here though, so the pic is a bit over exposed.

This was 8:20am as we were driving in and finding out Jeremy didn't have the right passport.

This is looking back into Spain towards the north west.

Glass Blowing

Ok, first off I have always wanted to try this. It is a beautiful art and I was thrilled Jeremy was ok with going inside.  

This store was in the main square and have some very beautiful pieces. You could go inside and watch the artists blowing glass for free and pick out something to buy of course. This was where Jeremy and I got our souvenirs from. We bought our Christmas ornament (glass ball that was bright blue and gold swirling drops) for the year and a small bud vase (deep burgundy, white, and gold colors melting together with a wavy top). Together they cost 32 Pounds which is about 64 Dollars (A lot, but Beautiful). Just so you know Jeremy spoils me sometimes and I love it when he does. I love things made of crystal and glass and the two pieces are really stunning and I hope we have them for a long time to use and admire. This is a picture of one of the men working on a wine goblet.

Last but most certainly not least is our first time eating real British Fish and Chips. We sat down in a little restaurant there in the square and order King Prawns, Cod with Chips, and a Burger with Onions. We loved everything, and I really liked eating the fish and chips with their vinegar and salt.

I am sure you are all wondering about how we got out of Gibraltar and all considering Jeremy's passport too, well... We got to customs and we were very lucky or should I say blessed because the man checking our passports only looked at mine. Probably because the picture was so bad he needed to know it was really me but I am telling you he took like 20 seconds mulling it over and then never looked at Jeremy's, he just sent us on our way back to Rota. Oh, and the guard on the base could have caused trouble too because Jeremy couldn't find his ID to get back home but that too went ok. We were amazed but I can assure you we will never make that mistake with the passports again. I hope you enjoy all the pics and if you want to see more let me know. Love Ya'll, Becky

The Gypsy Market (Rota)

Today I went out into Rota for a trip to the Gypsy Market as they call it here (Flea Market as what we call it in the states).

My new friends Brianna Hartl and her two daughters Bailey and Amelia decided to show me the coolest little spot in town.

They have all sorts of things but the main difference between a Flea Market and a Gypsy Market is that nothing in a Gypsy Market is second hand. It is the perfect place to get homemade or grown goods as well, like olives, spices, honey, and fresh snails. All of which are surprisingly great (and you all know me, I don't normally like olives but these are fantastic. They have a much different flavor than in the states.)

 

After visiting the market on our gloomy day (it rained for only like the 4th time in 8 months here) I was then taken to 1 of 4 familiar places in Spain. A Chinese restaurant, named Takiko. The food was incredible. Much higher price than you would pay for in the states (like everything else here) but so nice to have something that is common to me verses something Spanish.   

These are some pictures of just the everyday Rota. If you look closely you can see English written in the middle of the first picture (Rent A Car). The second is a typical Spanish house and the third is this weird set of hands that everyone thinks is ugly, even the Spanish think it is ugly.

Ok well, I love you all and hope you enjoy the pictures. Becky

PS. I am half way finished with painting so you will all see pictures soon but I have a lot I want to do with the furniture and such so you will see more later on down the road as well due to the fact that I am going to mind our budget and do things little by little.