Recently, I looked back at my travel diary, and I noticed that many entries are missing. Surprisingly, this makes me happy. My return to Rota was all about embracing the local lifestyle. If my notes were filled with daily events, it would simply feel like any other vacation—full of stories about cathedrals visited, castles climbed, and taxi drivers who tried to rip us off, none of which would interest anyone but Carol and me.
Settling in comes naturally here
The lack of detailed notes indicates that we’re not on vacation; instead, we’ve truly made ourselves at home in Rota, Spain. Some might wonder, why travel all the way to Spain just to live like we do back home?
Well…
To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. It seems odd to travel overseas, only to replicate the familiar routines of home in a foreign land where everything—including the language—is different. But I’ll attempt to explain.
“The only stress is to get back home to make a ham and cheese sandwich in time for the cheese to still melt from the heat of the baguette.”
The daily tasks we perform at home are just part of life. Who really cares about that? But there’s something unique about doing those same tasks in an unfamiliar place…
Alright, let’s refine that thought. Maybe doing everyday things in a unique setting elevates those experiences and makes them special. For instance, on our first day in Rota, we needed coffee and breakfast just as we would at home. But when you don’t have it, what do you do?
Just a short walk from our apartment is a café that serves freshly brewed café con leche and warm, buttery croissants. Sitting in a charming wicker chair, you can happily watch the locals go about their daily routines.
Breakfast is just around the corner
Lunch is even better. Just ten minutes away, on a charming, pedestrian-only cobblestone street, there’s a bakery that consistently offers fresh, warm baguettes. The only pressure is to get home quickly so you can make a ham and cheese sandwich while the cheese is still melting from the warmth of the baguette.
Then comes dinner. After spending the afternoon browsing several local “alimentaciones” for fresh vegetables, meats, or fish, you realize you’ve walked more than your usual daily distance back home without even noticing.
The “kiss me” corner—if you can translate it, it means you’re officially one of the locals.
That evening, as a soothing fatigue envelops you from all the spontaneous exercise, you reflect on how the day was not significantly different from any ordinary day at home. You think to yourself, what shall I have for breakfast tomorrow?
You realize that you have no idea what breakfast will be until morning arrives. That’s the beauty of traveling to a place where you can enjoy life just as you do at home.
It truly means the world.
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