Survived Cinco Semana en Nerja

Hola mi amigos!

So it actually rained (sprinkled really) for the first time since I arrived. I bought an umbrella for 2 euros, cheap hey! It was really windy and kind of yucky but I had errands to do and went out anyways. I thought if I can survive the Fraser Valley rains, I surely can do the rain in Spain. Which by the way doesn't fall just mainly on the plain haha. Halfway through my shopping, my umbrella fell apart, it was hilarious. The spoke thingies were poking out all over the place. I stopped to buy a better one and the vendor, I think, felt sorry for me and gave me a good one and then also disposed of the discombobulated one, too funny. I was then good to go again.

While I was poking around the pequena tiendas (shops), I met up with Daphne, a retired woman from London. She has been learning spanish for 20 years, going to a different spanish schools 1 or 2 weeks a year. That is how I met her. So we popped in for a few cervezas and had a nice time. She has the most beautiful English accent and tells very interesting stories, especially of her family. She said when I go to London I must look her up and stay with her and her family. Daphnes says she knows so many places we could go to. When I do get to London sometime, I know I will give her a call for sure. She is coming back to Nerja one more time this year with her son and husband, so I'll be able to meet them as well. They will be staying at the Parador Hotel, which is adjacent to my new flat, 2 minutes away.

Last Sunday Basal, Juliet and I drove to the town of Frigilian in Basal's caravan. It was about 1/2 hour up a mountain. The scenery is like nothing I have ever seen, so beautiful in a mish mash sort of way. The Spanish build house with no rhyme nor reason on where they put them. Coming into the town is exactly like the pictures on the Internet, white houses with red rooves and each have a colourful front door.

We walked about town for a few hours and stopped for drinks at an open air restaurante (most of them are) overlooking the mountains, the town, and the sea. The sun was shining and I could of had a ball-fest as it was just so beautiful. I was back to pinching myself ahahah. Basal is a cook and sushi is his favourite to prepare, but he made us girls a big pasta dish. I think it was the tastiest pasta I have ever had. They are both very eager to learn the language so we all practised our vocabulary, I just happened to bring my books ahah. Okay, so we are sort of geeky ahah.

We then drove up a huge mountain with very narrow roads. It was hard to stay freaked out because the view was spectacular. We went through a bunch of towns and I can't remember their names except the one, Torrox. Back to Nerja and boy was I ever pooped out. It was a lovely day with my new friends, but I had serious sensory-overload. I have named Basal and Juliet my Mike and Sandy substitutes. ahah

Well I survived 4 weeks of the Intensive Beginner's classes. I have been studying my heart out and of course making lists on all my new words. So far I have about 600 new vocabulary words and 100 verbs rolling around in my head. I am just now starting to get them connected together to form a few decent sentence. It's coming along all right, I think even though I do get frustrated when I try to speak. I still have this weird shyness about it at times. My profesors both say to me, "tranquila Leigh-Ann", meaning stay calm, it'll come. For my conversation to improve and take off I need to practice, practice, and practice some more with anyone that speaks the language. I am going to see Janet, my spanish connection ahah, that works in a store. Basal, Juliet and I are going to find a spanish person that wants to just talk and will correct us. There are a few in the paper that I will call on this week.

After classes we usually go to a park next to our school. I call it the triangle park (hence the shape of it) and Juliet calls it the orange park (has orange trees around the whole park). We laugh everytime we say, let's meet there. So we have our dos cafe con leches and discuss our classes and chit chat. I then go to a restaurante in the touristy part of Nerja, near the Balcon to study and do my homework for a few hours. My brain can't handle much more than that, plus I am here for fun, not all work. My cameraro (waiter) Antonio doesn't mind me sitting there for hours as most places close for siesta and they aren't busy. He always asks if I need any help with my deberes (homework). I take him up on his offer once in a while when I am stuck. He was born and raised in Nerja and learned to speak Ingles just working in a restaurante.

Everyone I meet asks me 3 questions. 1) Why am I in Nerja? They seem fascinated that I would come all this way just to learn a new language. Most people don't know what to say when I tell them I have been waiting over 20 years to do this. 2) How long am I planning on staying in Nerja? And all I can tell them is "No lo se." (I don't know). People's reactions are all the same, rather surprised. 3) I am then asked how did I end up in Nerja? I only spill my story if I have time to chat.hahah I should have a hand-out about my journey since I feel like a broken record, but in a funny sort of way. I realize that everyone has their own story as well and I enjoy and find it interesting to hear how and why they are in this little town we all seem to love. Is it the sea air, the scenery, the variety of pubs, or the people. I would check all the above actually.

In one month, I feel my horizons have expanded so much with seeing different sights, trying different tasty foods, meeting new friends, and learning a new language. But I do feel overwhelmed at times and when that happens I plunk myself at a cafe, restaurante, or a beach to veg-out with a good book, write in my journal, figure out life, and drink lots of agua. A person can only drink so many cerbezas ahaha. I have read 8 books so far and have a list a mile long (suggestions from everyone) as I always ask people what their favourite book is that they have read. Of course I tell them my numero uno, The Power of One by Bryce Courtney.

Things I have learned, experienced and love about Nerja:
- Tipping isn't necessary if you are a regular. And saying thank you too much I think might be annoying to the Spanish.
-Clothes take forever to dry in this moist air unless in the direct sunlight this time of year.
-I can live very simple without the conforts I was so used to at home, like a coffee pot or clothes dryer.
-Tinto veranos are light and tasty, plus have a pretty colour. The sangria sucks. The paella is excellent.
-Taking a break from studying my espanol when nothing seems to be sinking in is a really good thing.
-I discovered one Ingles (CNN) station on the tele which I turn on once in a while just to hear a Canadian or an American voice. Our profesors suggest we listen to spanish t.v. Oh gad, more spanish ahahah.
-The jack hammering 2 blocks away stops for siesta from 2-4, and is done for the day at 6 pm so I can make calls to home. Loved talking with you Sarah, Earla, Mom and Sandy. I will try to call some of you in the very near future.
-Exploring the outskirts of Nerja is breathtaking. I constantly wonder what the rest of Spain looks and feels like. I have so many suggestions on where to go. In fact we are going to go to a place south of Granada possibly next weekend. Juliet has a Fiat sports car with a rag-top. So us girls and Slinky Jane (the name of her car) (I am not the only person that has named her car, so there!!!) are heading up there to stay at a hostal that is like a spa. It is new and cheap and we will pop in to see Basal hopefully for a meal cooked by him. He is there for a little break from school for 10 days.
-I love seeing Lucy pictures from Earla and Chris. Thank you both for sending them to me. They make me smile and then cry each time. I absolutely loved the picture of you, Earla, with Sarah saying that you have booked your flights to Nerja. May 5th won't come soon enough, that I do know. I have so many things I want to show you both.
-Big one! ! ! Don't cheap out on an umbrella when the winds are blowing off the Mediterranean Sea ahahahh.

I have been trying to hunt down an English speaking travel agent that understands me enough to fly Lucy to her Momma. No luck so far, so I asked my dear Sista to buy her a ticket. Soon she Miss Lucy will be swimming with me in the sea (whether she likes it or not) ahhaah.

Friday, I moved into my new place , flat, apartamente, home. It all depends who I talk with, as to what we call it. Regardless of it's name, it is the cutest little place and I had a "moment" the minute I walked in for the first time yesterday. Basal helped me move and he gave me time to feel my new home. It needs a good cleaning which I will pick away at in between fun and school. I did the kitchen last night and scrubbed it within an inch of its' life ahah. Then I went and did my big grocery shopping, unpacked and then had company for the afternoon. Later that night we all went out to celebrate me in my new place. Had mexican at Burianna Beach for about 3 hours. Meals are extra leisurely, I love that. We tried to speak as much Spanish as we could muster up. Then we came back to my place and made a huge batch of popcorn. I was in heaven. Their popcorn is exactly like ours back home and you all know how much I love my popcorn.

Saturday morning I hiked up a mountain (not anywhere near the same size of Elk Mt, thank goodness ahah) and from the top we could see the sea forever, different beachs, a private cozy beach that I will have to go back to, and a few tucked away homes. It was a great hike and I was made to do some stretching exercises at the top. ahahah. It was a good thing because I was a tad sore the next day. I think maybe the cerveza are taking their toll ahaha. I made a pack with myself to get some strenuous excersise a little more often. I had pilates back home but nothing like that here except in Spanish. So when I figure out this language I will give Pilates a try.

Today, Sunday has been a wonderful day. I studied for hours as I still get up early like back home, 6:00 a.m. Then I cleaned my floors thoroughly, feels good and it is all nice and shiny now as they are ceramic tiles. I had a great chit chat with my landlord, Abraham, who lives upstairs. He left Pakistan 20 years ago and speaks 4 languages I think. He and I will get a long terrific. He is easy going, knows I am fussy and has accommodated me on everything I have asked for. It is sure different to rent a place, but I think I found the cutest flat in Nerja. hahah The furniture is a bit big, the sofa is blue (ugh), the lightbulbs are duller than dull, but Abraham says I can basically do anything I want to the place. I was telling Earla about the gas stove (something I have never ever had) and she made me laugh so hard on the phone last night. She said that if she lived there she would be putting a sheet over it as she is scared of them. ahahahah. I told her I feel the same way, but I better get used to it at least until I clean the oven ahah.

VERY DIFFERENT PLANTS COMPARED TO BC
BUT EQUALLY AS BEAUTIFUL

So tonight I am in one of my favourite pubs, Blue Med on Burianna Beach, since I went to school with the new owner, Anne, from Liverpool and her husband and 2 kids. They are wonderful people and they will do well with their new adventure. Anne has given me tons of helpful hints on moving here and also getting Miss Lucy Lou to be with her Momma. They just got a new cocker spaniel that I haven't had the pleasure to meet yet. Speaking of meeting new dogs, Dave, my Nerja connection before I arrived, has just taken in a stray dog and has named her Rosie. She is the cutest thing ever. I came across Dave, John, Robbie (their other dog) and Rosie last night at All That Jazz, and Rosie and I got to play. Can you tell I miss my Lucy? Everyone is looking forward to meeting Lucy and of course my Sister and daughter. They've all seen pictures of my family and friends back home. Dave mentioned he would look after Lucy Lou if I ever want to go travelling somewhere. I haven't decided on where I want to go yet, but soon I will put my Exploring Thinking cap on.

I registered for another month of school, grammar and conversation, but we are out of school by 1:30 each day. It is hard, frustrating, but also very rewarding and fun when I can talk to someone. This week a few of us from school are going to go and listen to someone talk about the election here (in Spanish). Their election is March 15th. Then on Thursday night we're going out for another tapas tour with one of our profesors and talk Spanish, well hopefully ahahah. It will be a busy week so I look forward to it all. My mission this week is going to learn how to transfer some of my pictures to you all. Wish me luck.

Well I should go and I would like to have a chit chat with Stewart and Anne plus Kristy, she's one of the bartenders here. And then hit the books a bit before I hit the hay. I live an 8 minute walk to the biggest beach here and it's quite a walk back up to town (steep), so I like to get up into town before it gets dark. A girl's gotta stay safe. Nightie night everyone. xoxo

Pienso sobre tu todo (I think about you all) and yo echo de mi perro (miss my Lucy). Eso es todo (that's all) for now folks. Hasta de le semana. (Until next week -I think ahah).

Leigh-Ann