One very good thing about living on a small base overseas is the making of good friends. Unless one is a total miser, it is imperative to know your neighbors or coworkers. There is no getting around it. Every day I am amazed at how many people I recognize while walking out of the NEX! A new round is coming in now, so more new faces and ours will be leaving soon. We'll be back where we won't be forced to be a community. I will miss that.
I haven't "assimilated" to the culture here and I am thankful for that. I see Americans who have been here longer than me and some have taken to the "I really don't care" attitude. My immediate supervisor hasn't and I am flabbergasted. She's been here 10 years, I do not know how she does not have an ulcer. My non-working friends don't understand why I don't like it here. They just don't see the corruption that I see on a daily basis. For instance, how does a warehouse "lose" two 14 foot items? Maybe that crate hasn't come yet, but the rest of the items came over a month ago. Regardless, this is a regular occurrence. I suppose it happens everywhere, but nothing gets done about it here. Very frustrating to say the least.
On the flip side, we have beautiful weather and so many travel chances. Traveling Europe is like traveling from state to state only sometimes cheaper! Another very positive thing about Southern Spain is the lack of violent crime. There is the petty theft off-base, but that is the most that happens. Unless a drunk sailor or marine says something stupid to a local person and gets beat up. There are no shootings or stabbings. Just reading the online news shows me how often this happens in the US. Definitely feel safe here.
Well, I have gone on enough. Time to pick up the hubby from his 3 month long trip!
Hasta Luego!
