Flash back to March 2011, where I'm sitting in the HR office at NPS working through my acceptance paperwork for a job offer. The tone of the office quickly turns from laughter guessing the miles between the current duty station and new duty station to somber when my pen lands on the line for signature accepting a 3 year tour.
3 years? That means I won't be in DC by 30.
3 years? Sure I can do anything for 1 year, but 3?!
3 years? I don't even like Italian food.
3 years? Oh, I really want out of Monterey, but is this how I should do it?
Well, those 3 years flew by- all in Naples. Somehow I even managed a second OCONUS location, and now that year 4 is complete it's hard to believe that the silly 5 YEAR RULE may now actually play into effect with my overseas tour. An extension has been requested as I work to update my resume and start testing the market. Fear and anxiety get the best of me when I think about having to move back "home."
See, the funny thing is most days the idea of moving back stateside terrifies me. Truth of the matter is when I'm feeling "homesick" I realize it's Naples I'm missing. How then am I going to fit in? Will I be able to afford to travel? How can I live without the local culture?
Then the reality kicks in...Katie. Are you kidding? You are American. You will still travel. If you afforded it a GS-5 you can afford it now Miss GS-DoubleDigits. They have the internet back at home, use it to find local events.
Truth of the matter is, I've loved every minute of being overseas, yes, even in Rota. True it's been challenging at times.
Okay, more than a few "times," but to have this experience is worth more than the costs of long frustrating work hours, car issues, traffic jams, late dinner times, and limited social groups. In all honesty one weekend tasting tuna tapas before dancing in the streets to a neighborhood band erases the miserable week at work. And guess what? It will be the festival I remember, not the week of work.
Being over here has taught me so many lessons that I can't even begin to list them but I'll try just the same: patience, flexibility, resourcefulness, communication, cultural understanding, bargaining, trust, confidence, introspection.
It's true that every location isn't a one size fits all, but I've said it before and I'll probably say it until I go to my grave- EXPLORE EXPLORE EXPLORE! There is so much more out there than your neighborhood, city, state, country. You may find that you like where you come from even more once exposed to other countries or, you may find that as much as things are good where you came from, there may be a better or preferred you pick up while traveling. And when you can, ditch the weekend crazy itinerary (still need to learn this one) to slow down and explore the back roads! There's always an adventure to be found there. I promise.
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Make sure you book your room(s) at Nico's B&B. Bar Nico has been restocked with Spanish wine and nightly entertainment is provided by local celebrity Olé. We'll be open for business until we're not...May 2016 is the next mile marker we're currently looking at.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Ruta de Atún
Sleepy beach town. Beautiful spring day. Food festival. Needless to say I kept feeling like I was walking through the streets of Pismo Beach, Capitola or any of my other California coast towns.
Zahara de los Atunes was the destination, with its annual tuna festival: Ruta de Atún.
Zahara de los Atunes dates back to the time of the Phoenicians and as the name suggests, known for their tuna fishing grounds. The 3,000 year old Phoenician almadraba style of fishing is still in use in this region when the tuna pass from the Atlantic Ocean back to the Mediterranean each year to spawn. Fishermen lower a maze of netting below the water and the red tuna swim in but cannot find the exit prior to the nets being raised from the sea.
Unfortunately for this Spain resident, around 80% of the fished tuna is exported to Japan for sushi. The extra layer of fat built in the stomach areas of the fish make the red tuna melt in your mouth. So yummy! Every May, after the the full moon the fleets hit the ocean to kick off the month long festival with the main event being the tapas weekend.
Local bars and restaurants take part by entering their tapa and letting participants vote. That's where we came in with our "ballot" and picture map showing us where to go. At each spot we paid our few euros for a tuna tapa and beverage. Talk about an easy day in Spain! There were no options, we just had to tell them how many orders we wanted and pick our drink of cerveza, tinto, o agua.
Our afternoon dabbling in food critiquing eventually turned to taking extra laps around the block inbetween stops just to give pace ourselves.
During our walks we stumbled upon a group performing at a little hole in the wall. Standing room only, people from the neighborhood took turns dancing sevillianas, the regional type of flamenco dancing. The lead singer had young and old alike moving from their chair or curb side to dance while the crowd joined in with singing. Yes, even these two Americans filled with tuna and beverages got caught up in the atmosphere clapped on the off beats and swayed with the music.
Garlic Festival? Artichoke Festival? Squid Festival? Chestnut Festival? Gelato Festival? And yes, even the Fried Food Festival...I may have found the new favorito of you all.
Zahara de los Atunes was the destination, with its annual tuna festival: Ruta de Atún.
Zahara de los Atunes dates back to the time of the Phoenicians and as the name suggests, known for their tuna fishing grounds. The 3,000 year old Phoenician almadraba style of fishing is still in use in this region when the tuna pass from the Atlantic Ocean back to the Mediterranean each year to spawn. Fishermen lower a maze of netting below the water and the red tuna swim in but cannot find the exit prior to the nets being raised from the sea.
Unfortunately for this Spain resident, around 80% of the fished tuna is exported to Japan for sushi. The extra layer of fat built in the stomach areas of the fish make the red tuna melt in your mouth. So yummy! Every May, after the the full moon the fleets hit the ocean to kick off the month long festival with the main event being the tapas weekend.
Local bars and restaurants take part by entering their tapa and letting participants vote. That's where we came in with our "ballot" and picture map showing us where to go. At each spot we paid our few euros for a tuna tapa and beverage. Talk about an easy day in Spain! There were no options, we just had to tell them how many orders we wanted and pick our drink of cerveza, tinto, o agua.
Our afternoon dabbling in food critiquing eventually turned to taking extra laps around the block inbetween stops just to give pace ourselves.
During our walks we stumbled upon a group performing at a little hole in the wall. Standing room only, people from the neighborhood took turns dancing sevillianas, the regional type of flamenco dancing. The lead singer had young and old alike moving from their chair or curb side to dance while the crowd joined in with singing. Yes, even these two Americans filled with tuna and beverages got caught up in the atmosphere clapped on the off beats and swayed with the music.
Garlic Festival? Artichoke Festival? Squid Festival? Chestnut Festival? Gelato Festival? And yes, even the Fried Food Festival...I may have found the new favorito of you all.
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