Rota, Andalucia (Spain)

Last day in Italy...  Got up at 0600, checked out of the NAS Sigonella Navy Gateway Inn and loaded my stuff into the van (still had the keys). Had breakfast at the Galley and started hearing a series of cryptic questions about my travel plans. It appears that Keith told everyone yesterday that I was staying in Sicily for another week. Fair enough - that was my plan about a week ago. However, with no plane to fly, I hadn't told anyone I was actually staying. Anyway, it led to another strange conversation with Keith after I got back to my room: could I bring the keys to the folks who were leaving. I told him I was going home and then it turned out that they were counting on my room in Spain tonight. Isn't it nice that you can fail to say "I'm making changes to the plan" and then someone can still get that ball rolling anyway... During the confusion, I managed to get several people's things over to the hangar and I helped unload the vans and cars. There was further uncertainty about where all the suitcases should go (hangar or terminal).  As a result of the mix-up, my bag got "misplaced" (it was actually turned out that it was in a van that got turned in to the rental car office). Fortunately, our G-IV crew was a little delayed in getting going, so we were able to sort out where everyone was and find all the bags before our departure. Whew!!! We were airborne around 1000. Flight to Spain was OK - I finished more crossword puzzles... Landed around 1400L - the weather was awesome (like San Diego). Sadly, a new round of confusion then began: how to get to our hotel?  After about an hour of waiting, taxis (from Radiotaxi Rota) finally showed up and we headed to Hotel Playa de la Luz. In nearly nine years of this gig, I have NEVER stayed on the beach before - what a treat! Our check in was pretty easy - people were very nice. After getting settled in my room, changed into a swim suit and headed out to the beach-side boardwalk in front of the hotel. Met Don and Joe and enjoyed some solitude in the sand and heavy surf (high tide). Drank some straight Cuban rum and then switched to Bacardi and Coke as the afternoon wore on. The rest of the gang walked by our beach perch around 1800.  They were actually headed for a re-up ceremony on the beach - that was cool to see. Don and I went over to a nice spot by the hotel pool and rested for the rest of the evening. It was a great location - everyone stopped by on their way to other places. I ended up eating a light dinner (chicken sandwich) there. Watched Pat and Keith miss each other a few times - eventually, Pat left for town in his rental car. As a result, Keith was stranded (temporarily). We took out our displeasure on Pat by charging our evening to his room. We'll see how long it takes for him to notice... It was 2130 by the time the evening was over. Others wanted to go out - to extend the night - but I was tired by this point. Headed back to my room to get some sleep - ended up watching TV in German, Italian and Spanish (no English at all)... Bed around 2245.  Enjoyed my rare Spanish respite - we're headed home tomorrow!