First Notes from Nerja

FISHERMAN'S BEACH

I arrived in Nerja safe and sound. A very quick trip when you fly at night. Seeing all the town´s lights at night, along the Mediterranean coast was beautiful. I hope to visit some of them since I am so close and feeling rather adventurous. Málaga is a huge city judging by all of its lights. The airport is typical, hard to find the right baggage carasoul. My non-English taxi driver was there to meet "Kreager", thank goodness! The drive to Nerja was less than an hour along the coast with houses tucked in the adjacent hills, maybe mountains, I couldn´t tell. The speed limit is 120 km on an excellent but windy road. I wasn´t even freaked out. I saw the Nerja sign and was so excited I wanted my driver to hurry up, but he wouldn´t have had a clue what I was saying anyways ahah. I´m learning patience.

LEIGH-ANN'S CAFETÉRIA

With my 2 suitcases and my laptop case in hand, I strolled down the cobbled, narrow streets like a drunken person. It was pretty funny. Ian and Jane, owners of Hostal Miguel were there to get me all tucked into what will be my home for 10 days. My room feels very Spanish with a door facing the upper terrace. I will stand on my mini balcony for my early morning weather report, no t.v. I then went out for my first tapas and have no idea what I ate, but it was tasty. Free tapas with each drink. Hey girls, tapas is chick food at its finest.

I have been here 3 days now and have a hard time not pinching myself every 5 minutes. I can´t believe I am here, living this dream I´ve had for more than 20 years. It is everything and more than what I imagined it to be.

-The streets are so narrow at times, and very windy and curve in all different directions
-The church at the main square rings its bell every hour, I love that.
-The grocery stores are fun to shop in, I pick up fruit everyday, can hardly read any labels, too funny
-The sky has been clear, I actually think it´s bluer here, just kidding, but it feels like it.
-I´ve been to 3 beaches so far and very clean, big waves, but not very many people wandering and gawking around like me.
-Balcon de Europa is a look out and you can see the Med. Sea in 3 directions. I already have a favourite bench with my name on it ahah.
-Oh, the Mediterranean Sea is just breath taking. I wonder if I´ll always get choked up every day as I sit seaside to write, read, or veg-out. I am in such awe of the whole sea thing. I feel like a little peanut when it seems so big.
-Earla, this is for you, I am eating healthy, and having one big meal a day. Tonight was Italiano and everythingI ordered was new to me. I loved it all, surprise, surprise. There were cats all over the main square, which is where I ate. So I had the prettiest tabby cat wanting (and getting) crumbs from me.
-Miguel, You´ll be happy to hear everything is Miguel this, or Miguel that. In fact, I just had my first San Miguel beer tonight and it was pretty darn good.
-My Spanish classes start on the 4th and I found out where I pick my key up for my new room. Both are about 5 mins. from where I am now. I had a tour of the school. It´s got about 5 classrooms and an outdoor patio with pretty pots of flowers. Very Spanishy ahah.
-Ian and Jane have given me a map of the city, dotted with many free tapas bars/pubs to visit. For those who are coming to see me, I promise I will have the best ones pinned down ahah.

Things for me to figure out yet in Nerja--
-Why are all the dogs I´ve seen so far are kind of ugly and scruffy looking. Man, it better not rub off on my Miss Lucy when she gets here. Oh how I miss my little shedder.
-The hours of operation for every establishment are bizarre. No rhymy nor reason and I can´t read the signs on the door yet. I think some are closed because it is their slow season, I have no idea.
-My sleep. Geesh, no pattern yet. I am trying to get with the time here, so when I get up in the a.m. I feel as though it´s in the middle of the night. A good warm shower wakes me up and then I can start my day, not as droppy-eyed.
-Okay, what is with the scrambled eggs here. They are pretty gross, "gag me, really." But everything else I have had has been awesome.
-Learn how to add pictures to my blog. I will try that another day folks.
-Where to go dancing. I feel the need to let ´er rip with my new boots and all. Are you girls laughing yet ahaha.
-Find a decent cup of coffee outside Hostal Miguel. No luck so far. I´m having coffee withdrawals.
-Connect to the Internet, got a great suggestion this a.m. from Ian. So I will go to this one pub called DB´s or something, it has a surfboard on the sign and they have wireless. Yippy, I hope it works then I can drink my beer and MSN with some of you. I would with you Mom, but it´s in the middle of the night back home as I write this.
-The BIG ONE - How to phone home? That is my mission today. I need to hear your voice Sarah and my dear Sista´s as well. But I know it´s going to cost me a fortune crying over the phone lines ahahah. But I´ll give it a try.

TYPICAL SPANISH ENTRANCE WAY

So far, I am having a great time everyone, just exploring the city. I wake up every morning wonder what I will see, what Spanish I will learn, and what people I will meet. A great way to start my day.

I miss you all and only let myself have one good cry a day. Then I head out of my room each day, hoping today is the day I find a cup of coffee that even slightly resembles a Timmy´s.
Until next time.

Leigh-Ann