Sunday morning, I managed to drag my weary body to the balcony. I knew immediately I had chosen the right place for my temporary home in Nerja. The magnificent views took my breath away. An early morning sunrise set the blue waters of the Mediterranean below me aglow.

The town of Nerja has much to offer. Unquestionably the beaches are majestic, but visitors come here for more than that. They come for the friendly people, the wide array of restaurants, and the visual eye candy of the city's architecture. Nerja's narrow winding streets and alleyways beckon to be explored. Their romantic beauty pulls you in. The extraordinary views of this city on the sea and the wafting aroma from local bakeries and tapas bars combine to heighten one's sense of sight and smell.

In my quest to immerse myself into the life of a local, I drifted through my share of side streets, stopping on more than one occasion for a cerveza and a chat with whomever happened to be seated next to me. I'd later manage to get lost on at least two occasions, but in the end getting lost had its advantages. I was rewarded with the discovery of even more shops, bakeries, and fruit markets. You won't find a Starbucks or KFC in Nerja. Personally, I found that refreshing.

Winter brings a peaceful quietness to Nerja's beaches. A few diehards sun themselves, but most of the sandy expanse is empty. To me, winter is undoubtedly the best time to come.

Although tourism boards do an outstanding job of providing visitors the lay of the land, the best way to discover your surroundings is to ask the locals. Luck was with me on my first day when I met Isolda Navarro, the owner of a small jewelry shop on Calle Carabeo. Fortunately for me, Isolda spoke excellent English and was more than willing to help out in my quest of living like a local. Her shop was located between my condo and the city center, so I passed her when heading out and returning from my long walks. Isolda was happy to give me tips and help me get around. Without her, I probably would not have as far afield as I did.

My other new acquaintance was Antonio Maldonado, a 23-year native of Nerja and owner of Europ Web Cafe on Calle Malaga. His café and internet service became my lifeblood between Automotive