Hola from Rota, Spain!

I am writingthis at 0100 (1:00 a.m.) and we have been in the air 4.5 hours. Our ETA to Rota, Spain is 0400 EST. Spain uses the 24-hour clock (1 to 24, not 1-12) so I may as well start now. It's also cool military lingo.

How many people can say they have flown in a C-5 cargo plane? How many would want to? Right now I'm thinking it's a great experience, and it will be even greater when we are safely on the ground in Rota.

There are 73 seats availabl on this flight and only 22 passengers wanting to fly---5 children and 17 adults. After checking IDs and pasports, we went thru a security check just like Sky Harbor. Shoes off, pockets emptied, etc. Everything familiar stopped there. While in the bording holding area, we rceived instructions: no cameras, hats off, grab earplugs on your way out the door. Yes, earplugs. We'd soon learn why.

We were herded onto a blue bus, the kind you deliver kids to school in, then headed out across the runway to a row of gigantic, 747-sized, charcoal grey, monster planes with 4 jet engines mounted 2 and 2 under the wings. The engines were warming up. We put in our earplugs.

We watched as the tail of the plane slowly opened like giant alligator jaws. A platform dropped even lower to receive our luggage being delivered on a flat bed truck. The suitcases had been stacked on a pallet and the entire thing was shrink-wrapped. The flat bed scissored up to meet the platform and a conveyor belt slid the pallet into the plane.

Now to get the more precious cargo aboard. . . us! There was one tiny opening cut out of the solid chunk of grey about two stories above the tarmack, our entry door. Another truck with a set of stairs mounted on its back slowly inched its way to the side of the jet and we were instructed to board. Backpacks on and up we went two flights and found our seats.

Here similarities to commercial flying prevailed. Seats were 3 and 3 with a aisle down the middle. Gene and I picked a row and kept an empty seat between us. Wish now we'd each taken a row. Most of the people are now sound asleep, stretched out over three seats each. I slept from about 2200 to 0100 and hope after I jot down these thoughts I can go back to sleep for a bit. By the way, the seats are facing the REAR of the plane and there are NO windows. There is a big grate on the floor of the galley and you can see cargo down below. Everyone wore their earplugs the entire trip.

Food: We purchased a box lunch for $3.35 each consisting of turkey and cheese snadwich on white Rainbow-type bread, chips, soda, granola bar, bottled water, M&Ms and an apple. They handed out juice and more granola bars. I have most of the food left.

The flight was free, but I'd have paid full fare for the experience!

. . .

It's now 2200 Rota time, we've had a nap, shower, rented a car, drove into Rota and found a tapas bar, then drove around thru narrow streets and along the waterfront. Now it's back to the BOQ (Bachelor Officers Quarters) where we have a brand new room with sitting area and separate bedroom and bath . . . all for $35/night. This is the start of something great!