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Learning to LOVE Belgium

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Happy to have this guest post by Christina on Living in Belgium. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Living in Belgium

Learning to LOVE Belgium

Living in Belgium

It’s no secret that any PCS can be an adjustment. I mean you pick up your whole life every couple of years and head off to somewhere new. New friends, new job, new house…basically a whole new life. I was pretty prepared for military life since as a teenager I moved MANY times and then I joined the military before I even graduated high school. At least I thought I was prepared for this life.

I wasn’t prepared for our PCS to Belgium, no matter how much I tried to ensure that I was. I did not have a love at first sight relationship with our new home. I mean, how can I have a love at first sight feeling when the closest Starbucks is an hour away! It took me about a year to get to the point where I felt comfortable here and started to really enjoy our life here.  Once I got to the point that I accepted and adapted to the Belgian customs and lifestyle I started to love it here. It was no longer about “I can’t believe they don’t have rest areas with bathrooms” or “why do I have to insert a coin to use a shopping cart”. Instead, I allowed things that aren’t typically the “American way” to become my new normal. I accepted and started to enjoy the new way of life.

So a little more about the base. Where we are being a GSU base (geographically separated unit), it’s a small community of Air Force members and their dependents. There is no base housing which means we are given BHA (Basic Housing Allowance) and are able to select a house from the approved list. When we arrived, we were taken around by the Belgian Liaison Officer to see about 11 homes. Once we decided which house we wanted to live in, the Belgian Liaison Officer did the paperwork and we moved in a couple of weeks later. There are quite a few villages surrounding the base so we are integrated into them. This allows us to not only experience the true Belgian way of life but also make friends with locals as opposed to only being surrounded by Americans. One of my dearest friends is the Belgian daycare provider that my youngest daughter went to for a few months before starting school. While we are all spread throughout the different villages, the base does a great job in ensuring we don’t isolate ourselves too. There are monthly lady’s night dinners along with monthly reoccurring events on base. One of my favorites is wings day! The small community can be a great thing or a bad thing. It all depends on your mindset. I try to attend at least 1-2 events with people from base. Plus, we are only a few hours from bigger bases like Ramstein so we try to visit there once a quarter to ensure we get a little taste of “home”. I mean it is pretty much little America. Honestly, it’s great to be at a smaller base and having the community of support that we get.

Of course, one of the main benefits of living in Europe is the travel opportunities. I can be in multiple countries within an hour from my house. At one point, we were driving home from a trip and within 30 minutes we had been in 3 different countries. Shockingly, the Belgians do not like to drive places and often do not travel. When we talk about taking a day trip to a place that is a couple of hours away they give us this crazy look. While we often choose to drive (we have two kids under 5 years old), you can definitely catch a train to endless amounts of places.

Here are a few of the travel perks of living in Belgium:

Day Trips We Have Taken

Kinderdijk

This place is pretty amazing. You get to experience 19 windmills from the 18th Century. Since majority of Holland is under sea level, the windmills are vital at keeping the area from flooding. You are able to bike the area, walk or even catch the boat. It was a fun trip for the whole family.

Living in Belgium

Tongeren Antique Market

This is an outdoor (mostly) antique market where you can find anything and everything you could imagine. It’s open every Sunday from early morning until just after noon. They are there rain or shine and you can find some great pieces to add to your home. We of course went when it was cold and rainy but still enjoyed it!

Kuekenhauf Gardens

This place is beyond amazing. It’s a bucket list must and if you are living in Belgium then you will be the odd one out if you don’t check it out.  

 Living in Belgium

Amazing Christmas Markets

If you have never heard about the Christmas Markets in Europe, then you are missing out! Starting just after Thanksgiving, the markets run through the end of December. Each one has its own appeal and if you can brave the cold then visiting each one is a great way to celebrate the season. One of my favorite Christmas Markets is Valkenburg, Holland. Not only is the Christmas Market in a cave but they also have the Magic Sand display. This display is beyond words and is done out of sand. Each year they change the theme too so you get to see new and just as impressive sculptures each year. It’s unlike anything I have ever seen!

Castles

Europe is flood with castles! I can never put into words these massive and beautiful architecture. Of course the girls always have to be princesses if visiting one because you know they live in one (yeah right! LOL).

American History

Many people do not realize the American History that was made over here in Europe. Between the beaches of D-Day to the World War II American Cemetery in Margraten. Not many people get an opportunity to experience these things and the fact that you can do this all while LIVING here is pretty amazing.

Traveling Home to the U.S.

Living in Belgium

Since Ramstein isn’t a far drive, we can catch Space A flights back to the States. Depending on the season, it can be really busy. However, when my grandmother passed and we were not prepared (meaning we hadn’t saved for a trip home) we were able to save THOUSANDS of dollars by catching a Space A flight. It took us two days to get onto a flight and we had a drive once we landed in the States but it’s totally worth the money saved if you are able to have some flexibility in your travel dates.  I’m pretty sure my kids think that flying in the back of a military cargo plane is totally normal.

Traveling is great and all but the area where you live is what’s most important to me. Especially when you have children…you base all of your decisions on what school the kids attend, is there room for their toys, the bedrooms good enough, is there a park nearby, etc. Belgium does not disappoint in this area at all. There are weekly markets in each village where you can get fresh produce right from the farm, fresh flowers and even clothing. While the area we live speaks mostly Dutch & Flemish, as long as you approach the situation correctly then they have no problems speaking what English they do know to you. My rule of thumb is to initially apologize and tell them I do not speak Dutch. Once they see that I am apologetic they will speak English if they know it. Fuel is a little outrageous but we do get gas rations at a cheaper price. Our rations are low but the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) dictates that and won’t be changing any time soon. We take trips and have two vehicles yet we only pay the European fuel price a few times in two years. Another thing to consider is that as a spouse, you are not allowed to work under the SOFA. There are a few civilian jobs available on the base but with so many spouses and minimal positions, it’s unlikely you will have a job while here.

However, there are some great benefits to living in Belgium…

Daycare costs are much lower than in the United States. We put our youngest daughter into an at home daycare twice a week with a Dutch provider and she not only was amazing but the hourly rate was much lower than the States. It’s based off of pay but the provider is supplemented by the government for the remaining amount. No worries though, because you only pay daycare (if you use it) up until your kid starts school at age 2 ½! Let me just say, the Dutch school that my kids attend is AMAZING! Our kids speak fluent Dutch and have learned so much along with achieved great social skills.

You will see animals and farms EVERYWHERE! There is not a day that goes by that I am not stuck behind a tractor when taking my kids to school or just running to the store.

Which leads me to the best part….THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS! I have seriously gained ten pounds living here because I can’t refuse the bakery, seafood and THE FRIES! (By the way, Belgians are very proud about their fries and will inform you that fries are NOT French! LOL) They use mayo for their fries here which was already a thing for me so I was golden. Mussels are a Belgian must and of course the waffles with Nutella are heaven.

Living in Belgium

Ultimately, each duty station is what you make of it. That has always been my belief but I noticed that when we first got here I wasn’t trying to make the best of it. It’s important to understand that living OCONUS is an adventure. Your three or four-year tour will pass quicker than you think and the year that I spent adapting is a year of missing out on some great stuff. It will take time to adjust because you are in a different country where they speak a different language and do things differently. However, if you keep an open mind and understand this adjustment and are willing to adapt then you will be comfortable a lot quicker. Live in the moment and cherish the amazing memories you are making while you are here. You will be PCS’ing before you know it!

 

Heart & StripesChristina is currently living in Belgium with her husband and two children, ages 2 and 4. She has always loved writing and has found a home for it on her blog Heart & Stripes. She loves being a stay at home mom, volunteering on base, spending time with her family and upcycling furniture. She was raised in Florida so she heads to the beach and Disney as often as she can.

 

5 Things to do in the Summer When You Are Stationed at Ft. Campbell

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5 Things to do in the Summer When You Are Stationed at Ft. Campbell

We are just three weeks away from another summer being just a memory. School will start for my boys and although the weather will still be hot and the bugs will be loud, the pool will be closed and we will be looking ahead to the fall.

This summer has been low-key but also a lot of fun. We did not go on any vacations although my oldest went to summer camp. We had a lot of family time in June since my husband was home with a broken arm. I wanted to share 5 Things to do in the Summer When You Are Stationed at Ft. Campbell.

If you don’t know, Ft. Campbell is on the Tennessee and Kentucky border. Literally. Some of the base is in one state, some in the other. While officially the installation is considered Ft. Campbell, KY, if you have a baby here, they will have Ft. Campbell, TN on their birth certificate. Even though that doesn’t really exist. You can choose to live on post, on the Tennessee side in Clarksville or the Kentucky side in Oak Grove. There are also people that live a little further away in other towns too.

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Stationed at ft. campbell1. Liberty Park

Our family loves Liberty Park. Located at 1188 Cumberland Dr, Liberty park has a ton of things to do. You can walk along the river, let the kids play at their amazing playground, let your dog play at the dog park, grill, fly a kite or just relax on the grass. You can also fish in the pond or if you have a boat you can use the marina.  A lot of people take advantage of this park and there is no question why. It’s a beautiful place to go. They also have a restaurant, the Liberty Grill which is pretty good and if the weather is nice you can sit outside by the water.

 

Clarksville, TN pools2. The Pool

We love the pool and go there often. There are quite a few options for going to the pool here if you don’t have one of your own. The two main places are on post or the city pools in Clarksville. The on post pools are very nice and one of them even has a splash park attached to it. The off post pools are bigger and we have gone there the last few years since you can get a summer pass. The pass for a family of 5 is about $110 using the military discount. You can also get swim lessons for $15 a session if you have the discount. Last time I checked they were $60 on post, so quite a big difference. We have done lessons at both places and I think both are great but one is a lot cheaper than the other.

 

stationed at Fort Campbell3. Splash Parks

When we first moved here they only had one splash park on post. It is right next to a Starbucks and a regular park and we love going there. There is also a smaller one across the post and they now have 4 in Clarksville. They opened a new one this year. Splashpads are a really popular place to meet up with friends and when your kids are small, going to a splash pad is a lot easier then a pool when you are by yourself.

 

Tiebreaker4. Tiebreaker

I grew up going to Wild Rivers in California so the first time we went to Tiebreakers I was very underwhelmed. However, the kids love the place and it can be a fun to spend the day there during the hot and humid summer. Located in Kentucky, this is about 15 minutes from post. They also have a military appreciation day and buy one get one free on Mondays. They have a couple of slides, a lazy river and a fun water playground to play in.

 

Movies at the prark 5. Movies in the Park

Movies in the Park is a lot of fun. They show movies in a couple of the parks after dark on Saturdays. You can bring your own food or buy snacks. Last year we saw Back to the Future one and two and this year we watched Independence Day. They have a mix of family-friendly and other popular movies starting in May and going through October.

There are of course a lot of other things you can do in the summer at Ft. Campbell. There are events going on both on and off post, many parks to choose from, you can easily get to Nashville and Land Between the Lakes is only an hour away. Check out Groupon for any deals in the Clarksville or Nashville area.

Not stationed at Fort Campbell? Here are some posts by some of my blogger friends about other duty stations 🙂

Fort Stewart Fort Leonardwood Air Force Locations  Fort Bragg

And don’t forget to check out my Duty Station Guest Post list for information on a lot of different duty stations 🙂

 

 

Living at Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

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Happy to have this guest post by Dawn on Hurlburt Field AFB in Florida. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Living at Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

The Florida Gulf Coast, or more lovely referred to as “Red Neck Hawaii” or “Red Neck Riviera” is home to Hurlburt Field and Eglin AFB. If you look at a map, the bases appeared to be joined but in reality, they function as two completely separate bases. Eglin AFB is the largest Air Force Base in the world and that doesn’t even include Hurlburt Field.

Hurlburt Field AFB, FloridaThe Base

You’ll find all the same services on both bases, which is nice. But of course, with the size of Eglin comes a few more conveniences, like longer operating hours.

If you are looking for service on Hurlburt, there is this amazing app the base has created to help you get around and find all the contact information you are looking for. It’s called 1 SOW- Hurlburt Field AFB from GLIP Inc. A must have if you are new and come to Hurlburt Field for the first time. I recommend this for both you and your spouse. I haven’t seen it at any other base and we love having everything right on our phone for easy access. Available for Android and IOS!

 

Places to Live

Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

Where to live is another important question everyone wants to know about! If you’re going to be stationed at Hurlburt, there are a few areas you’ll want to stick around. Assuming a 30-minute commute, the east Side of Gulf Breeze is the furthest you’ll want to go east. If you want to go west, the northwest tip of Okaloosa Island is the furthest you’ll want to go. 98 really is the biggest limiter in commute because the traffic gets pretty rough. About once a week there’s an accident on that road and most routes to and from really depend on 98.

Mary Esther and Fort Walton Beach are both super close to base. But you will definitely pay a premium for those houses. The area is well established and there aren’t a lot of new houses going up. And there hasn’t been for probably 30 years. That has some perks, of course: The landscaping is mature, the community has plenty of build up and you’re never too far from anything you need. The down side there is that the schools aren’t the best. But they do have a few private schools if you fall in love with the area. Okaloosa Island is absolutely gorgeous! The houses there definitely reflect that in their price, though. And getting any kind of land is basically unheard of. If you want a nice condo, though, this is DEFINITELY where you want to start looking! Be aware that during tourist season, though, you’re going to hate everything.

Navarre and East Gulf Breeze are relatively new communities, which means you’ll get newer houses. And they’re cheaper than older houses, too! You’re going to enjoy the beauty of Navarre beach without as much tourist traffic. The schools are highly rated and the area is nice and relatively quiet. But it definitely has a “middle of nowhere” vibe. You’re not going to have all the luxuries, but hey, at least there’s a Wal-Mart! If you need more shopping choices, you can always drive East to Fort Walton where you’ll find the Santa Rosa mall and lots of other smaller shopping complexes. If you want to more choices, I recommend the Cordova Mall in Pensacola or the outdoor shopping at Destin’s Commons. If you are looking for big brand shopping at low prices,
there is always Silver Sand’s Premium Outlet Mall in Destin. It’s worth the drive every couple of months.

Great Places to Eat

Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

While you’re here, you’re going to want to eat. So where do you go? I’m going to give you some of my favorites for you to try while you’re here. If you try nothing else on my list, you must go to: McGuires Irish Pub. With two great locations in Pensacola and Destin, there really is no excuse for you to miss this experience. Irish pub grub delivered with ales brewed in copper kettles, plus live music most nights. You won’t be disappointed. Be sure to try the Split pea soup, you’ll thank me later! Keep in mind that this is THE tourist spot, though, and plan to eat at off-peak times or plan for a wait. But there’s a reason everyone wants to eat here, I promise it’s worth it!

Some of my other favorites in the area:

TASTE | Tapas & Wine Bar – Fort Walton Beach Premiere Wine
bar serving fusion tapas and varieties of wine. They serve and
amazing brunch menu too.
Ali Baba Grill Cafe – Casual spot for familiar Turkish & Greek
recipes offered à la carte & at a buffet, plus beer & wine in Fort
Walton. If you’re coming from a European Base, this is the closest
you’ll get to Doner Kebabs anymore. And, really, they aren’t that
far off.
Helen Back Cafe – American sports bar with a patio, drink
specials, hand-tossed pizza & sandwiches, plus theme nights.
With 4 location in Fort Walton, Crestview, Navarre, and Niceville.
 Military night and dollar pizza night. The pizza is just wonderful
greasy, cheesy goodness. It doesn’t get any better folks.
Johnny Huston’s Grille and Bar –Local watering hole pairing
burgers & other pub grub with drinks in a casual, down-home
setting in Navarre. I haven’t had anything I don’t like here. Try
their Mac and Cheese Burger…omg yum.
Juana’s Pagodas –Waterfront bar & grill with lots of
entertainment, including live music, beach volleyball & pool write
on the Navarre Beach Sound.  Their breakfast is really amazing.
 Try the French Toast with homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread.
The Slippery Mermaid Sushi Bar – Creative, sushi-centric menu in
a quaint house with sake & a screened porch with a view of the
sound in Navarre.  This place is small but the Sushi is top-notch!
Flounder’s Chowder House – Chowder house with real
confessional booths & stained-glass windows plus views over the
sound on Pensacola beach.  Beautiful and delicious food.  I must
try!

 

 

Beach Life

Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

I know what you are really interested in, though: THE BEACH! If you’ve never seen the beaches of the Florida panhandle, you are missing out. The white sand and crystal clear water make them some of the most beautiful beaches in the country! The best part is you have your choice on which beach you want to go to; and they are all free.

So if you want to head to the beaches with more amenities (Destin or Pensacola) you can go in the off-season. I live in Navarre and I am 2 miles away from the beach. Navarre Beach is my favorite both for the close proximity to my house and how peaceful it is; even during tourist season it’s still not too over crowded. You have to take a bridge over the sound to get to the beach area, but on the corner of 98 and the Navarre Bridge is a playground that you can take your kids to for a picnic or just to enjoy the playground and splash pad.

It’s also really nice to have both the sound and the beach to choose from. This way if you want calmer waters for taking a boat or kayak out, you don’t have to put it in the ocean. We also venture over to Pensacola beach area from time to time because they have a dog friendly beach there and we love to bring out Toy Poodle, Leo, whenever we get the chance.

If you are a beach lover and enjoy warm weather all year round, Hurlburt Field AFB in Florida is a great place to live. People come from all over the country just to be here for a week and well, you get to live here. How lucky are you? I’m so grateful to be stationed here. Small town charm with a vacation feel atmosphere. It doesn’t get any better.

 

Hurlburt Field AFB, FloridaDawn Zangerle is the Owner and Operator of The Divine Life Blog. She is a former singer and actress from NYC. She is now resides in Navarre, FL with her husband, Evan, who is a Capt. in the USAF. She’s been a military spouse for 9 years and is currently trying to start her family with the help of IVF.

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Living in San Francisco, California

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Happy to have this guest post by The Coastie Couple on San Francisco, California. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Living in San Francisco, California

When we initially moved to the west coast, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew things would be different but I didn’t realize how different they would be. There was a bit of sticker and culture shock in the beginning, but I’ve learned to accept the differences and to appreciate the area for what it has to offer. And it has a lot to offer!

living in san francisco

When people talk about San Francisco, what they fail to mention is how big the city is and that there’s a huge surrounding area that’s worth seeing as well. My husband was stationed near San Francisco (you can see the skyline across the water) and we actually chose to live a little further inland in Concord because the prices are much cheaper and the area is less urban. If you’re looking to live in the area, I highly recommend looking beyond the city. If you’re coming to visit, I’d highly recommend staying in the city because everything will be easily accessible that way.

There is absolutely no way I could share everything about San Francisco in one post. In the two years that I’ve lived here, I haven’t even had the chance to see everything that there is to see (and we spend almost every weekend exploring something). That being said, I’m going to highlight a few of our favorite places in this post. I encourage you to do some research before you come out here – there’s so much to do!

Before you head into the city, I recommend learning how to use the BART system. These trains are similar to the subway system of New York which makes them convenient for getting around. They can be a bit tricky for newcomers though. I recommend utilizing your favorite map app to figure out which one will take you where.

living in san franciscoThe Piers:

Pier 39 is one of the most famous attractions for the area. This is the pier where the sea lions like to hang out. It’s also filled with restaurants and shopping. It’s a fun area to explore and you might even stumble across a cool street performer if you’re there on the right day! Pier 39 isn’t the only pier though. In fact, if you get off the BART at the Embarcadero station, you’ll have the opportunity to walk along the piers where you’ll find the ferry station, boats to Alcatraz, and the Exploratorium.

The Exploratorium is a neat attraction that I would highly recommend to visitors – young and old alike. If you have kids, it’s a great place to enjoy as a family. The hands on science exhibits and many things to tinker with will keep the family entertained for hours. Don’t have kids? Catch them on Thursday night for their adults only night! This was the option we chose since it’s just the two of us. It was a great time with cash bars and all of the same exhibits minus the kids.  My husband and I had a blast exploring the museum.

living in san francisco

Fisherman’s Wharf:

This is definitely a tourist attraction but I wouldn’t rule it out. I’m a strong believer that tourist attractions are worth checking out in addition to the cool local finds of an area. I do have to caution you though – you’ll need a bit of patience when you visit. The crowds can get a bit frustrating and overwhelming. On the up side, you’ll get a lot of steps on your step counter!

While you’re at the Fisherman’s Wharf, I recommend eating at Boudin Bakery, which is known for their sourdough bread (they even make it in all sorts of shapes!). They have a simple café on the first floor with bread bowls that are an awesome choice for lunch. They are relatively moderately priced as well (at least for California – remember that sticker shock I mentioned?).

The Wharf is also a great place for picking up cheap souvenirs for all of your family and friends. You can find postcards, tshirts, and keychains on every corner. If you’re a craft beer fan, I recommend checking out Jack’s Cannery at the end of the Wharf. Then, trek up the hill to Ghirardelli Square where you’ll find unique stores and free chocolate at the Ghirardelli Store. If it’s Christmas time, you’ll also find an impressive tree.

living in san franciscoUnion Square:

If you’re into shopping, this is the place for you. The streets are lined with shops and restaurants galore. It’s a very diverse shopping area with bargain stores mixed amongst the more high-end retail stores. It’s definitely a good chance to exercise your legs and pocketbook. If you come in the winter, you’ll notice a massive tree in the center near Macy’s along with an ice skating rink. This is definitely a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Golden Gate Park:

Remember when I mentioned that the city is huge? Golden Gate Park is a prime example of how big the city is. It’s a large park filled with attractions and hiking trails in the middle of the city. It is home to the California Academy of Sciences, which is a great place for kids and adults alike. It’s sort of a natural history museum meets science museum. It’s filled with lots of cool exhibits and they even rotate them out based on the time of year.

Golden Gate Park has a lot to offer beyond the museum. We spent an entire day simply exploring the trails and taking in all that it had to offer. In fact, if you walk all the way to the end of the park, you’ll find yourself staring at the Pacific Ocean. I also recommend checking out the Beach Chalet restaurant that’s located on the edge of the park. Be prepared to spend an entire day if you head down to this park.

I haven’t even touched on half of the attractions in the area and yet I’m out of time.  Feel free to follow us on our blog or social media where we’re often posting about our adventures and sharing snippets from our lives!


The Coastie CoupleThe Coastie Couple is a husband-wife duo that shares honest accounts of their adventures from coast to coast on their blog, The Coastie Couple. He’s in the military and she’s a teacher. They both love to travel, create, and experiment in the kitchen. These are the adventures they share on their blog.

Blog: http://www.thecoastiecouple.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/coastiecouple Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/coastiecouple

 

Living in Rota, Spain

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Happy to have this guest post by Lizann on Rota, Spain. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

rota, spain

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Naval Station Rota, Spain

If you get orders to Rota, Spain, consider yourself a Golden Unicorn: it is one of the hidden jewels of the Navy. This small base located in the Southwest corner of Spain is home to several ships, and sailors stationed there will get accompanied orders for their families to move with them. There is also one Air Force unit stationed there, and a very small unit of FAST Marines. This base has some of the best features of overseas living: vibrant local culture, welcoming locals, beautiful climate, and tons of sightseeing opportunities! Overseas living can be challenging, and it can take some time to adjust. But once you know your way around, this station has endless opportunities for fun and good food. Last year, I published a book about moving to Rota, getting settled, where to shop and eat, and where to travel. It’s called ‘Welcome to Rota,’ and is available as a paperback or an eBook from Amazon. I will give you the highlights here. The logistical details first, then all the parties and fun travel at the end, so keep on reading to the bottom!

Language and Money:

Of course the local language is Spanish, and the currency is the Euro. While many restaurants offer English menus, few locals speak English fluently, so some basic Spanish is necessary for daily life and finding your way around (especially if you live off base.). On base, everything is conducted in English. There is a Commissary, NEX, Naval Hospital, FFSC, gas station, library, school, etc, all staffed by a mixture of Spanish and Americans, but everyone speaks English and accepts dollars. Brushing up on your high school Spanish will help, or you can buy Rosetta Stone, which is a quick and effective way to learn useful phrases. There are also Spanish classes and tutors available on base.

Housing:

On base housing is available for any family, and will be assigned based on number of children. It is small and somewhat plain, but very comfortable (it has central heat and AC, which is rare off base). The housing is conveniently located so that you can bike or jog to most areas of the small base. On base housing is free, including utilities, and it uses American style electrical outlets and voltage.

Off base housing is also available for any family. There are tons of choices, many near the beach, or with gorgeous backyards and pools. You will receive OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) for off-base housing, based on the service member’s rank. It is supposed to cover rent and utilities, but you must be attentive to utility usage because energy costs are much higher in Europe! Because the climate is mild, most off base housing does not have heat or AC, so it is common to be very hot in the summer, and very cold in the winter. Off base, the Spanish electrical system uses a different voltage, so you will need to use transformers and converters before plugging in an American appliance (or just buy a Spanish one). You can get these for free through the base housing office.

Schools:

There is one school on base, which serves any American child from Pre-K (Smart Start) through high school. It is called DGF, and the website is here. All teachers are American, and follow an American-style curriculum approved by the DoD. The school has some opportunities for music classes, art classes, sports, and theater. Students also benefit from daily Spanish lessons and weekly Spanish culture classes. There is a separate on-base bi-lingual preschool program offered through the Child Development Center (CDC).

Parents have the option to send children off base to Spanish schools. The Spanish public schools start at age 3, and are basically free to attend (after paying a small fee for supplies). Off base, schools can be a great way for young children to learn the language and immerse themselves in Spanish culture. Older children usually attend on base, unless they are fluent enough to read textbooks and complete writing assignments in Spanish. There are also private bilingual schools, which are expensive and designed to teach English. And there are some private Spanish schools, run by religious organizations. To register for off-base public school, there is a lottery system that begins in March. Registered families will be assigned to a school in their town. Most teachers and school administrators do not speak English, so you will need to know enough Spanish to understand classroom notes and communication. Or just find a friend in the class!

Employment:

Overseas, spouse employment is a challenge. Spain has a SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) which states that 70% of the work force on base must be Spanish, and only 30% American. So most employment opportunities are limited to the NEX, the Commissary, MWR (Morale Welfare, and Recreation), or the base Child Development Center. And these jobs fill very quickly. The base hospital has a very limited ability to hire civilian nurses or doctors, but you can volunteer there if you need to keep up your medical license. The base school hires teachers through the DoD, but spouses can work as substitutes or transitional teachers. You can run a home-based business such as baking or selling products, once you establish your business through the base Legal Office. If you are finishing a degree, there are 4 online colleges with offices on base: Central Texas College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Maryland University College, and the University of Oklahoma.

Local towns:

The Naval base is located in between the towns of Rota and El Puerto de Santa Maria. Rota is a tiny sea-side fishing village with two gorgeous beaches and a wide boardwalk paseo.. The streets are very narrow and houses are typically small. This is a good area for young couples, because of the small quarters (mostly apartments and townhouses, rather than stand-alone homes) and the good nightlife. You can walk from the base into Rota, so there are plenty of American bars and nightclubs. During summer, the tourists are up every night, but in winter it is a quiet little town where everyone knows everyone else. It is only a few minutes’ drive to the base gate. Americans have been here for 60 years, and Rota survives on their business, so even though most shopkeepers and restaurant owners don’t speak much English, you will see Americans everywhere. The downtown square has a castle and cathedral from the 13th century, and hosts small celebrations throughout the year.

rota, spain

El Puerto de Santa Maria is a much larger town, with multiple neighborhoods and housing areas, each with its own flavor. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and large chain stores, including a shopping mall. There are multiple beaches, all very popular in the summer. This is considered a good choice for families, because the houses are typically larger, come with more yard space and parking, and often have swimming pools. Most neighborhoods in Puerto are about 15 minutes from the base gate. It is a popular area for Americans living off-base. Puerto is a great source of Spanish culture, with a bull ring, a Cathedral, and a castle from the 14th century. The town celebrates festivals and parades throughout the year, usually on a larger scale than Rota.

Cultural Events:

Spain has a never-ending calendar of celebrations, fiestas, holidays, and cultural events! Their public events are always for families, and usually involve parades, horses, lots of wine, and the closing of stores and schools. My book gives details about the reasons and traditions behind all the local holidays, but here are some that are unique to Spain:

  • January 6, Three Kings Day, is when the Spanish exchange Christmas gifts.
  • February 28 is Andalusia Day.
  • Carnaval is the colorful parades and celebrations for a week before Ash Wednesday.
  • Semana Santa is the solemn processions for one week before Easter.
  • The Running of the Bulls happens locally on Easter Sunday. (I went once! It was crazy!)
  • Feria is a spring carnival that each town hosts for one week in spring.
  • May 1 is Spanish Labor Day.
  • June 23 is the Feast of San Juan, celebrated with bonfires on the beach.
  • July 15 is the Fiesta del Carmen, with fishing boat flotillas.
  • October 7 is the festival of Our Lady of the Rosary (the local patroness).
  • October 12 is Diá de la Hispanidad, a national holiday.
  • November 1 is All Saints Day.
  • December 6 is Constitution Day.
  • December 8 is the Immaculate Conception,
  • And of course they celebrate Christmas too, on December 25!

Food:

I’m not sure I can summarize Spanish food in a few sentences, but I’ll try! It is NOT Mexican food. It’s more like a Mediterranean diet, with lots of fish, fresh vegetables, eggs, and rice or potatoes. The ingredients are very fresh, and usually only seasoned with salt and pepper. I loved being able to get fresh food from the fish market or the produce stand. Some of the most popular dishes are:

  • tapas (an appetizer, can be any type of cold or hot food in a small portion),
  • paella (a fancy rice and seafood dish),
  • tortilla (a potato and egg ‘cake’),
  • gazpacho (tomato soup, served cold),
  • chorizo (spicy cured sausage),  
  • jamon (cured ham, thinly sliced),
  • churros (sweet fried dough, like a donut or funnel cake),
  • tinto de verrano (which is red wine mixed with Sprite and fruit)

There are recipes for these in my book, along with lots of information on other foods, and translations of common menu items.

And here are some of my favorite restaurants in the surrounding towns:

Restaurants in Rota

Bar Gomez (Spanish Breakfast Sandwiches)

Badulaque (Spanish Food, Beach Views)

100 Montaditos (Sandwiches, Beach Views)

Parilla Los Argentinos (Grilled Meats)

Las Tinajas (Spanish Grilled Specialties)

Bar La Feria (Spanish Food, Flamenco Shows)

Takiko’s (Japanese/Chinese, Base Delivery)

La Dolce Vita (Italian, Harbor Views)

Pizza Y Pasta (Delivery to Base)

Shanza (Indian Dishes, Delivery to Base)

Argos (Seafood at the Port)

Bodegon La Fuente (Paella and Sangria)

El Espadero (Home-Cooked Spanish)

Pink Pepper (Japanese, Mexican, American)

Sedona (Southwestern Specialties)

Slice of New York (Pizza)

The Steakhouse (Steaks and Burgers)

Restaurants in Puerto

Venta El Nene (Tortillas and American Breakfast)

Parilla Bailey’s (Grilled Specialites, Children’s Playground)

El Ultimo (Bar Food, Fuentabravia)

Venta La Rufana (Family Owned Roadhouse)

Crêfondue (Fondue and Crepes, Ocean Views)

Blanco Paloma (Pizza and Pasta with Ocean Views)

Bar Jamon (Upscale Spanish Cuisine)

Venta La Feria (Huge Paella Varieties)

Little Italy (Pizza, Pasta, and Children’s Play Area)

Bamboo Sushi (Great Sushi and Sashimi)

Shamrock (Traditional Irish Pub Food)

El Sitio De Vélez (Upscale Spanish Cuisine)

Daytrips:

Again, wow, this is an entire section of the book, almost 70 pages! But to summarize, there are tons of cool things to see in Southern Spain: Roman ruins, ancient castles, flower festivals, quaint mountainside towns, and gorgeous beaches. You can drive to Portugal or Gibraltar, or take a ferry to Morocco. The book includes GPS coordinates for parking areas, clickable links to websites (in the eBook), and prices for various attractions. Here is just a taste.

Day Trips:

Arcos (City of Arches, with old churches and white walled houses)

Baelo Claudia (Roman ruins from the 1st century!)

Cádiz (3,000 old city, with a Cathedral, old fort, harbor, and art/history museums)

Ceuta (Spanish city in Africa, next to Morocco, reached by a ferry)

Chipiona (local town famous for wine)

El Portal (Horse Ranch with a weekly carriage and riding show)

El Puerto De Santa Maria (local town with a castle, Cathedral, and a French bakery)

Gibraltar (The Rock, with a quaint British town, monkeys, and pillars of Hercules)

Jerez (famous for the Royal Horse Show and also for sherry wine tasting tours)

Medina Sidonia (historical hilltop town with Roman roads and a history museum)

Ronda (famous for bull fighting, and a 1,000 year old bridge that spans a huge chasm)

Sanlucar (site of the annual Horse Races on the beach every August)

Sevilla (Spain’s golden city, former seat of the King. Gorgeous castle and Cathedral)

Tangiers, Morocco (ride camels, visit a bazaar, and sip mint tea)

Ubrique (a quaint mountaintop village famous for its leather artisans and shops)

Vejer de la Frontera (small white-walled village with a famous Moroccan restaurant)

Zahara de la Sierra (located in the mountains, with working olive oil presses and tours)

Weekend Trips within Spain:

Barcelona (Gaudi architecture, a crazy Cathedral, futball (soccer), and a zoo)

Cordoba (Mezquita mosque, beautiful castle gardens, flower festival, pottery shops)

Granada (Alcazar palace is the most beautiful in Spain, historic city and flamenco music)

Lagos, Portugal (quaint beachside town with amazing arches and caves in the cliffs)

Lisbon, Portugal (huge city with history, art, great food, and nearby palaces)

Madrid (Spain’s capital, with tons of art, history, gardens, and a modern castle)

Nerja (quaint Mediterranean seaside town with pebble beaches)

Toledo (medieval city near Madrid with a Cathedral, Greco art, and metal artisans)

And if you think you couldn’t possibly visit all those places with your baby or children, I promise that you can! We have four young children, and the youngest was born in Spain! So strollers and baby backpacks make almost anything possible. If you are looking for more kid-friendly options though, here are the most popular kids’ field trips.

  • Zoos in Jerez or Castellar
  • Aqualandia water park
  • Divertilandia indoor bounce house/play area
  • El Bucharito local goat farm with cheese-making classes
  • Bee Farm in Jerez
  • Aquarium in Sevilla
  • Crocodile Farm in El Portal
  • Las Marias Horse Farm for lessons or beach rides
  • Princelandia dress-ups for girls’ birthday parties
  • La Ciudad de los Ninos y las Ninas playground in Jerez
  • Laser Tag and Go Karting in Jerez
  • Isla Magica Amusement Park in Sevilla
  • Dolphin/Whale Watching Cruises in Tarifa
Rota, Spain

Lizann Lightfoot spent the last 3 years living in Rota, Spain, with her Marine Corps husband and 4 children. While there, she began a travel blog, which turned into a 200-page guidebook called ‘Welcome to Rota.’ The book is a complete resource for military families moving to Southern Spain, with details about the overseas move, base resources, Spanish culture, where to shop and eat, how to cook Spanish food, and where to travel! She hopes it will save military families time and money, so they can adjust quickly, and get to the part where they start enjoying life in Spain. The book is available as a paperback or as an eBook through Amazon.com. Her family now lives in California, where she blogs about military life and deployments at SeasonedSpouse.com.

Living at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas

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Happy to have this guest post by Jenah on being stationed at Ft. Leavenworth. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

My first trip to Ft. Leavenworth was an experience! I was engaged to a Soldier and this was my first duty station. We flew into the Kansas City airport and the images of fountains, shopping, and nightlife that google provided filled me with excitement. Then we got in a rental car and drove AWAY from all of it to the sleepy little town of Leavenworth, Kansas.

The City of Leavenworth

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

Leavenworth was the first city established in Kansas and sits on the border of the Kansas and Missouri. It has a charming historic downtown area with murals painted on the walls, repurposed old historic brick buildings, and lots of local shops and restaurants. Leavenworth has your typical Walmart, one off post gym, a few chain restaurants, and there are two Starbucks, but both are located inside another building with NO drive through access. First world and moms with young children problems, I know, but worth mentioning. Right outside of the gate sits a very large federal prison and a field where buffalo roam. Yes, just like the song.

Fort Leavenworth the Post

Fort Leavenworth is a very small and well maintained post that dates back to 1827. The housing ranges from brand new to older pre Civil War era historic housing. The post has modern amenities such as a golf course, 3 gyms, stables, an air field, and hosts numerous family activities and programs. Ft. Leavenworth is known as the intellectual hub of the Army, home to the Command and General Staff College, the School of Command Prep, The Army Management Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies. Most families come to attend a school for a year, maybe two and then leave. There is a constant turn over at this post to include international students from all around the world. In addition to all of these great schools, Ft.  Leavenworth also has an Army Disciplinary Barracks. Prisons everywhere!

Kansas City

Ft. Leavenworth is a stone’s throw from some amazing areas in both Kansas and Missouri. 25 minutes straight out of the main gate into Kansas puts you at a great outdoor shopping area known as Legends and boasts the local Target, outlet mall, and great restaurants.  Take a right out of post and go 25 minutes into Missouri and end up at Zona Rosa which is also filled with outdoor shopping, restaurants, and so many stores. Pass Zona Rosa and in another 20 minutes you will find yourself in beautiful down town Kansas City where you can experience the fountains, museums, WWI monument, Zoo, Royals games, Chiefs games, and so much shopping and good food. It’s overwhelming and amazing.

Local Food and Weather

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

BBQ is the local cuisine here and there are more places to try than you could count. Just make sure to stop by Jack Stacks and B.B.’s Lawn Side BBQ. The weather in Kansas is bipolar and will flash flood, sunshine, and tornado all on one day. The winters are mild with snow fall and the summers are hot, but not as humid as down south.

Overall Ft. Leavenworth is a great place to be stationed. Military families can experience the small town feel of the post and city of Leavenworth or venture out and explore the great surrounding cities. This area is very charming and truly one of the best kept secrets in the Army.

 

Jenah Wieczorek Social Media & Base AdvocateJenah Wieczorek, Social Media & Base Advocate

What To Expect At MCAS Iwakuni, Japan

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Happy to have this guest post by Kelly on MCAS Iwakuni in Japan. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Living at Iwakuni, Japan

Finding out your family has orders overseas can be intimidating but if you’re one of the lucky ones that has orders to MCAS Iwakuni, you’ll soon fall in love with this tiny but growing base. There is plenty on base to remind you of home but fun and adventure begins as soon as you exit the gates.

MCAS Iwakuni

While it is small, MCAS Iwakuni offers quite a bit. At Crossroads Mall there is Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King, Taco Bell, Baskin Robbins, and Crossroads Café. Currently the Post Office, Commissary, and Sakura Theater are in the process of being moved to larger buildings to accommodate the base’s growing population. There is a bunch of construction going on to building new homes and renovating some of the older homes and towers. There are three types of housing for families: row homes (three story 3 or 4 bedrooms), town homes (two story 2 or 3 bedrooms), and tower apartments (2 or 3 bedrooms). One of the things I can’t seem to get over is how beautiful it is here. The Nishiki River runs past the Sea Wall and a great place to watch to sun set behind the mountains. The Sea Wall runs around most of the base. It is as wide as a small road and paved. A great place to go walking, running, or bike riding. It runs past the Ironworks Gym. The gym is decent sized and offers a variety of fun classes to keep you in shape. The indoor pool is located at Ironworks. There is an outdoor pool with a waterslide located across the street from Crossroads Mall and the Library. The Library just reopened in January after a renovation that included installing a 3D printer that is free to use.

MCAS Iwakuni

Off base there are many options for food, fun, and adventure. There are many restaurants within walking distance. You can try okonomiyaki (savory pancake), yakitori (food on a stick), shabu shabu (cook your food in flavored broths), yakuniku (cook your food on a grill in front of you), and a variety of ramen shops without having to go more than ten minutes from base. While you are and about, it’s highly recommended to go see Kintaikyo Bridge. It is a beautiful stone and wooden bridge built in the 1600’s. It is beautiful on it’s own but stunning when the Nishiki River is lined with cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Just past the Kintaikyo Bridge is Kikko Park where you can find many fountains and statues. You can ride a gondola from Kikko Park to Iwakuni Castle. Iwakuni Castle has been turned into a museum about Iwakuni City. The view from the top of the castle is breathtaking. If you wish to see more of Japan it’s easy to hop on a plane or train or even the bullet train to explore Hiroshima, Kyoto, Osaka, Miyajima Island or even Tokyo. Recently MCAS Iwakuni made the news when President Obama visited the base on his way to see the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.

Don’t let being in a foreign land intimidate you.  Don’t just stay on base. Actually go out and experience all that Japan has to offer. The memories you’ll make will last a lifetime. Don’t worry about the language barrier. The Google Translate app has helped us get around that. The Nationals are some of the nicest people I have met. Most of the time when we ask directions to a place they will actually walk us to the destination even if it’s a few blocks away. Either way be open to adventure and enjoy your time in Japan.

 

MCAS IwakuniKelly Stillwagon is originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She currently lives in Iwakuni, Japan with her handsome husband, Jeremy. She is the owner of Barking Fabulous Dog Treats, and a blogger for I Do and Adieu. Kelly is also a paranormal investigator with over 10 years of experience. In her free time she loves to read, penpal, bake, paint, and veg out with Netflix with her kittens, Katniss Everpurr and Bagheera.

Social Media Links: Facebook page for “I Do And Adieu”- https://www.facebook.com/idoandadieu Instagram page for Kelly Stillwagon and I Do And Adieu- https://www.instagram.com/stillkelz/

Forget What You’ve Heard, Fort Bragg REALLY is a Great Place To Live!

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Happy to have this guest post by Kia on Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

stationed at ft. bragg

I see it every time I get on one of the FB groups about Fort Bragg. A military spouse posts:
“Hey, everyone! We’re getting stationed at Fort Bragg and will be there in a few months. What’s it like there? What suggestions do you have on where to live?”

And then they come in droves. “Fort Bragg is THE WORST”. “Just stay out of Fayetteville!”. “I’m so glad we got away,” and on and on. Let me be clear on this…. Fort Bragg is not Mayberry, but it’s actually a great place to live.

My family has been stationed here twice, from 2006 to 2011, and we’ve been back since 2014. I will admit that I’m itching to leave, but it’s not at all for the reasons you might think. I love traveling and I would love to have an overseas tour, or go west. We’re from Tennessee and we’ve only been stationed at Bragg and Eglin. I’m ready to explore somewhere other than the Southeast United States. But if we have to be here, then I will enjoy it while we can.

So what does Fort Bragg have going for it? PLENTY!

* A great downtown atmosphere
* Plenty of parks
* Two PX’s and Two Commissaries
* Expansive food and cuisine options (downtown alone you’ll find American, Mediterranean, Italian and West African within a one block radius)
* The Crown Coliseum (many family friendly shows, like Disney on Ice and Entertainers, Music Artists and comedians come RIGHT to Fayetteville)
* Man shopping choices
* Love the beach? You can be there in 1.5 to 2 hours!
* Love the mountains? You can be there in a few hours!
* Raleigh, Charlotte, Charleston are a hop, skip and jump away
* Plenty of Historical elements to explore
* Farms! That means local produce, farm fresh eggs and honey! Most are open to the public for visitors and have great activities for different holidays. We also have a local Farmer’s Market twice a week.
* Fairs, festivals… I feel like there is ALWAYS something going on that I can take my children
* Jobs: The business community is very welcoming to hiring military spouses, there is a wide array of jobs AND an amazing group of military spouse entrepreneurs here that support each other.
* Diversity; there are so many cultures here! That in itself means that your children will have lots of learning opportunities

Of course, with an area as large as this, crime happens. I’m not at all going to downplay it, because I can’t. A lot of people choose to live just outside of Fayetteville in feeder towns like Hope Mills, Raeford and Spring Lake. But there are great neighborhoods IN Fayetteville, just as well. I love driving around Historical Haymount in Fayetteville just to look at the houses.

stationed at ft. bragg

My 3 Musketeers enjoying General Lee Park in the Haymount area of Fayetteville, NC.

In my opinion, one of the greatest things about Fort Bragg? CHOICES. Whether you are searching for public school, private school, churches, salons, grocery stores, neighborhoods or what to do with your family this weekend- you will have a CHOICE. That in itself is something that I’ve heard several other bases lack, and one that I appreciate.
Just like this area has a lot of options, the choices you make will determine your experience here. It’s easy to stay at home, or on post and feel like there’s nothing to do. When you approach Fort Bragg as a fun place to explore and connect with your community, embrace the location of being right between the beach and the mountains; I bet you’ll find yourself falling in love. This town is vibrant, soulful and proud to be called The All American City.

Have you been stationed at Fort Bragg? I’d love to hear about your favorite local things to do and what you’ve enjoyed about your time here.

 

Kia YoungKia Young is probably at this very moment driving one of her 3 kids to school, an appointment, sports or some other social activity. In between being a professional chauffeur that gets paid in kisses, hugs and good grades; she’s a military spouse and small business owner. Her main life goal is to raise happy, kind children who contribute greatly to society and the Kingdom of Heaven. And to publish a book that sells more than 100 copies. You can keep up with her thoughts on family, travel and food over at The Experience Life!
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