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Friday, August 01, 2008

Moron on Monday

Soaking in Spain
So I am doing exactly what I promised myself I was not going to do. Enjoying my vacation too much and not taking time each day to just write something down about what we have done or our doing.
This has been such an adventure. We flew into Moron, (Ma'row'n - roll your R and emphasize the Ma) and it is the middle of the desert. It was probably 98 the Sunday afternoon that we landed. Annie Kate said, Mom this looks just like New Mexico. Nothing on the base was open. We could not rent a car, buy gas. We hitched a ride in some guys truck to the hotel on base only to find out that kids can't stay there because it needs to be quiet for the pilots to sleep. So we had to get all of our stuff over to the base living quarters.
The heat made our exhaustion and having no plans or a way to get on to another city just that much more interesting (or should I say discouraging)
We got moved to a double room that connected with two bathrooms in the middle, full kitchen, nicer T.V.'s that we have in our house, free laundry, pool and ping pong table (I bet that when this is all said and done this will be the kids favorite part of the trip) and next door to the "chow hall", where we all ate dinner for $11 US dollars. And did I mention that the rooms were only $30 us dollars a night, this was easing the pain a little bit for our suana like situation.
The plane ride over was awesome! We fley on a KC10 (I think that is what it is called) the refueling planes. There were 13 seats near the front of the plane and tons of room to walk around, but we had to sleep in our seats and could not lay on the floor. It was really nice like a regular plane and even had carpet. We ordered the box of dinner, which is nicknamed in the military the box nasty. But this time it was actually really good. The three kids slept the entire time and we barely needed our ear plugs as it was not that loud. Our flight crew was awesome! You don't have any kind of stewardess on the flight but one of the flight crew kind of helps anyone with what they need. I of course knew his life story after the flight and just wanted to hug him because he was so nice to my kids.
I was surprised to see the crew sitting with us wearing their sunglasses on their heads during the night (we left the airport at midnight). But then realized why when they opened the door into the cock pit. It was as bright as day. One of the crew even covered the two small windows on the plane with tin foil to try to keep it dark for us. Oh how I wish we could have taken photos of the plane and such it was such an amazing experience to fly on this plane. The pilots even had a litte oven to make choc. chip cookies and cinnamon rolls during the flight. Since there was only a few of us flying, we got to know the other passengers quite well. A father and teenage son backpacking through Europe, who also were trying to get to Germany and jumped on this flight too. A young couple who were trying to get to Rome and then a Grandma who was stationed in Moron bringing her daughter and grandchildren to the base for a visit. During the flight we passed around any information any of us had on Spain (we still have not found a Rick Steve's Spain book and it is making us crazy). During our flight we figured how long it would take us to drive to Italy - too long, 12 hours and tried to plan a little of what our new vacation would hold. Our new friends kept laughing at us and asking us, "so have you figured out what you are going to do?" Jeff and I would just look at each other and say, "nope not yet"
When we landed we learned that we had to go into the city of Moron to the police station to get our passports stamped. So after a great night sleep and stocking up on food at the commisary we went on Monday to find the police station. Everything is shut down on Sundays, which was maybe a blessing as this forced us to just relax and not take the ground running.
Jeff got up on monday and went to the gas station where the guy there rents a few cars. They are all really small and could not fit our family and our luggage, this plays into an interesting part of the story in a few days. Jeff got the orange one for Caroline because she had seen it at the lot the day before and thought it was a punch buggy. The car is only $200 US dollars a week and the gas is the same as American prices which is great because off base it is $10.00 a gallon.
The air base is seriously in the middle of no where. It took us a little bit to realize that this is not what the entire country was going to look like. The base was surrounded by sunflower fields and all of the sunflowers were black, dried up and dead.
We went to Moron to find the police station and fill out paperwork to be in the country. We walked up and down the city street to see the amazing shops. We found about 3 fabric stores in just a few minutes. Me and Spain were getting along really well. What is amazing about these shops is that they sell fabric, notions and then the most beautiful children's clothing which is all hand made. The children here are so well dressed. It is a smocking, scalloped rick rack feast for the eyes. I wanted so bad to buy each of the girls these Spanish style dancing dress that was handmade and in the most beautiful colors. But at $125 Euros, taking a photo had to do the job.
We found an old castle and a amazing church, had a frozen treat - hey this was just like last years trip just twice as hot.
We went back home and then had our own Siesta (I could so get used to this life) and then went to Seville for the night.....
to be continued
I don't have much time on the computer and downloading my photos is slow going so I will hopefully get a little journalling in while we are here. We are now on the beaches and seriously soaking in every second we can of Spain - oh my!
We still have no plans for today (it is 10:00 am) or even tomorrow or the next day, but we think some of our days will include a trip to Africa and and the end of the earth in Portugal.
Here is a little trivia for you. One night we spent on a island. We paid for the hotel in pounds, we had to show our passports to get on and they welcomed us by saing, "Good day mate, enjoy your holiday" (he sounded like Burt from Mary Poppins) we saw doubble decker busses and red phone booths and drove across the runway of an airport to get on the island. We saw lots of Monkeys (ok the monkey story will hands down be the best story from our trip) and went into some caves.....
{Any guesses of where we were?}
Adios for now

23 comments:

Julia said...

What an adventure! I'm so jealous.

Did you go to Gibraltar? I didn't realize that you were that far south. You really should go to Africa then. I have heard that Morocco is really cool.

Marla said...

I love your free-wheeling style...I hate over scheduled trips!

You must be in Gibraltar...i have always wanted to go to N.Africa...you must!!!

ermakaluso said...

I have been reading your blog for awhile and never commented, but this one I have to! I served my mission in Andalucia 12 years ago so this picture made me "homesick" for Spain. I have a spot in my heart for Moron because we got to go there on the 4th of July and have a real American celebration. There are so many amazing sights. I would not miss the Alhambra in Granada and if you can make it to Nerja it is the "balcony of Europe" and a fun little town. If you go to church on Sunday in Malaga by some small chance, give Rafa and Magdalena a hug from Hermana Benson :) Soak it all up. I can't wait to go back!!

Unknown said...

i am soaking up every bit of your journaling! i just can't believe how it all falls into place :)

mimi said...

What lucky lucky girls you have! This is an amazing adventure you're on and we pray for you on each day's journey while you are gone. It sounds like from AK that you could have had this same adventure in New Mexico. Funny!

Elizabeth said...

Loved Gibraltar, just so different and unexpected.
I knew you would love all the well dressed kiddies over there.
Can't wait for more adventures.

Jill said...

How delightful to get an update from you while you're on your trip. I'm so happy that the flight went so well for you all and that the girls slept! Woohoo for that!

What a gift to be able to travel so inexpensively in Europe, and for your whole family to be able to go. I wish I could do this so badly!!!

Julie said...

WOW Kristi! Loved reading your post. Can't wait to hear all about the places you are visiting. We love you guys!

Sharon said...

So glad to hear from you and to know that you are having such a great time. You can make a trip fun wherever you go!! Great experience for the whole family. Love you all.

LJ, DC and ML said...

Hurray!!! I have no idea where you might be, but it sounds INCREDIBLE. Can't wait to see the pics.

The 5 Bickies said...

I'm stumped but am enjoying hearing about your travels. I look forward to more!

Jennifer said...

Are you in Gibraltar? I see now that some others have guessed as much. How exciting! I'm amazed that yr children are seeing so much of the world and you make it seem so effortless. What a great adventure!

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

What a trip! I imagine there will be several "this was hands-down the best part of the trip" and I can't wait to hear about them all. Don't forget!

llfp said...

Hi Kristi I wrote you an email to your pink everything email, if your able to ckeck it out please do so, its regarding your vacation In Spain, Because i live over here in Asturias, i wrote my cell phone in the email in case you need any help. ;)

denise @ little ant design said...

The trip is sounding fantastic - can't wait to see pictures! Continue to soak it all in and have fun.

Charity said...

I love the spontaneity of your vacations! Keep having a fabulous trip!

The 5 Bickies said...

A new family moved in to our neighborhood. Turns out they are Mormon. I made a complete fool of myself trying to explain about my "friend" (in blog land...that would be you) who has taught me so many wonderful things about the Mormon faith. Thankfully, she didn't laugh in my face about my virtual friendship and even chatted with me again today. I must not have been too ridiculous.
Just wanted you to know we are thinking about your stateside while you travel the world!

Jennifer (mom of four) said...

I lvoe hearing about your trip! Can't wait for more updates!!

Finally went to the ribbon outlet......OMG!!

http://wilson-six.blogspot.com/2008/07/ribbon-outlet.html

danielle said...

This sounds awesome! Can't wait to hear more about it!

michelle said...

It all sounds amazing Kristi! Keep writing down what you can so you can remember -- I can't wait to hear more and to see your photos.

The Monkeys said...

amazing. We have got to try this! I am guessing you had to be in gibraltar. How cool is that?

Bond Girl 007 said...

yeah, i am with Michelle, i CAN'T wait to see your photos...I loved that area, my dear friend boss is from Melia, so you might be able to visit it....or Morocco...that gibraltar is sooo awesome...and portugal....you are going to love it. Hey there is nothing like summer in spain or in europe for that matter...NO ONE DOES IT BETTER than the mediterranean! ciao or should I say vale...adios

Liz said...

Sounds like you are having one dreamy trip! Can't wait to hear the rest and to see the beautiful pictures!