The Daily Diary of a Wandering Restaurateur
I Could Learn To Like This Place!

We have been fortunate to travel to many amazing places in the world. The list of interesting places is long ... but the list of places where we could comfortably hang out for a week or two is much shorter. That's not because they aren't pretty or intriguing but because they are what I might call one-trick ponies -- once I have seen what I came to see, there wasn't much that seemed to urge me to stay longer.

Agra, India (site of the Taj Mahal) or Macchu Pichu in Peru were like that for me. Both were memorable, must-see places that had a profound impact on me, but neither were spots to hang out for an extended period of time. To make it onto my Linger List, an area must be a comfortable place to just BE for at least a week or so ... without feeling the need to go somewhere or do something (and there are places to go and things to do nearby if I want them). Perhaps it has something to do with being a traveler rather than a tourist or slowing down to the speed of life ... but I like it.

My current Linger List includes Oia on Santorini, the Dordogne, Provence and Burgundy areas of France, Umbria and Tuscany in Italy, the Scottish Highlands, the St. Gilgen area outside Salzburg, Austria and, fortunately, my adopted home town of Gig Harbor, Washington. After a few days of just hanging out here, I can see Nerja making it onto that list as well ... and that is a pleasant discovery.


And so we wrap up our last day in Nerja with what has become a typical schedule: breakfast on the square around 10-10:30 (The Spanish are not into early morning meals. Most places don't open until at least 9:30.), then coffee, reading and people-watching at an outside table for a couple of hours. A bit of wandering the streets (invariably looking at scarves!) until we find a restaurant that strikes us for a light lunch (We split a decent pizza at Pinnochio's today). Then it's gelato (100% chocolate and frambuesa is the winning combo!), a bit more reading and a siesta. Around 6:30 or 7 we wander out again for a few pichos and tapas (Lizarran again), more gelato (of course!), a brief paseo and call it a day well spent (or a day ... well ... spent!)


We did explore a bit more today and found an interesting walkway that let us around to another beach, Playa El Salon. With all the focus on the water, it is worth pointing out that there are mountains here as well. I suspect we will see more of them on our drive to Granada tomorrow. Around town, buildings still need to be repainted, the heavy British influence spawns home town favorites and the town seems to assemble for the paseo as the sun slips away. In Italy it is known as the passagiata but basically involves walking around. For the locals it is a time to chat with friends and neighbors. All in all, a civilized way to end a civilized day.

Does all this sound boring? Perhaps to some, but relaxing? Absolutely! Tomorrow we bail the car out of the parking garage and drive an hour or so to Granada ... but we probably won't hit the road until after lunch and one more taste of gelato! Tonight we pack!

PS: I'll have to work on that dissertation about restaurant selection tomorrow ... maybe.


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