The little things - Sliema, Malta
Sliema, Malta
Joanna and I said goodbye to each other at the Fiumicino Airport. Coming out the other side of 5 weeks travelling and seeing each other 24/7 (not killing one another) means we must have a pretty special friendship. We hope to Skype often when she gets back home. I headed to Malta on an 11am flight, and she headed to Barcelona (for New Year's with her friends) at 11.40am.
The flight was pretty uneventful. I sat next to two guys from Libya, who only decided to talk to me in the last 10 minutes of the flight, and by the time we landed, apparently were my best friends!
For those of you who wonder why I am going to Malta, here is the back story. When I was 16, I befriended a Swedish exchange student called Lars. When I finished high school, I went to stay with his lovely family in Sweden for 5 weeks. Now Lars lives in Malta with his girlfriend Nicole, so I’m headed there with a working visa for a month or so. I’m really looking forward to the change in pace. It’s very tiring travelling to a new country every few days!
Nicole greeted me at the arrivals gate. Even though we’d never met, we beamed and waved at each other like crazy things. I think this is the start of a great friendship!
Her car got a parking ticket while she was picking me up, so I felt mega guilty, but it was so wonderful having someone to greet me at the airport rather than having to find my own way. We drove through the streets, and I quickly realised that most drivers in Malta are crazy, and some of the roads are very bumpy! They do drive on the left side though, which makes me feel a bit more at home.
My first impression of Malta was: 'Holy moly! I’m on an island! An island!’ I obviously knew Malta was an island before I came, but seeing it from the air, and drinking in the atmosphere really made me realise. I’m excited, because I’ll hopefully be able to explore most of it in my time here, but also hesitant, because I’m used to larger countries, or being able to cross the border easily. I also noticed the buildings here are the same yellow-gold sandstone colour, and the water is a brilliant blue.
Nicole gave me the grand tour of their apartment, and soon after Lars arrived home. It was so good to see him! Even though we usually go 3 years without seeing each other, we always pick up where we left off. We all headed to Valletta for some sightseeing, and ate at an awesome café called Jubilee. I had an assortment of dips and a strawberry milkshake. We walked around the shops and peeked into the Church of St Paul's Shipwreck. It’s really ornate and dark in there, and houses the relic (wrist bone) of St. Paul. Did you know Malta has 365 churches? One for every day of the year!
It started to get dark, so we went back to the car. On the way I bought some traditional Maltese savoury pastries called Pastazzi. The cheese one was my favourite, but the peas were still very tasty. Right outside the apartment is a van that sells fresh produce. Apparently these vans are very common, and farmers sell directly to customers, which is great! I bought some fresh fruit for breakfast.
Back at home we just chilled and talked, and then Lars fell asleep on the couch. Later that night Nicole and I got the guitars out for a jam session, which meant Lars magically woke up and started playing too. We also watched videos on Youtube called ‘True Facts’ about animals which are so hilarious. Check them out!
I got really cold that night, and apparently Maltese houses don’t usually have heaters! ‘Malta has 300 days of summer’ – well I think I’ve come in the 65 days! I had a lovely sleep on the sofa though, with lots of fluffy blankets.
Some reflections:
Travelling really helps you to appreciate the little things in life. The little things that you always take for granted back home, but make you so happy when you realise you’ve been missing them.
For example:
A warm drink when you’re cold. I had some sweet berry tea at the apartment, and it made me so happy.
Someone to pick you up at the airport. It gets very tedious always having to decipher a new city’s public transport.
A large, fluffy towel. Instead of a microfiber/tiny towel that leaves you feeling like a wet duck.
A comfy couch. Rather than hard benches at youth hostels, or bunk beds that are too low.
A local to take you directly to the good spots, rather than wasting your time and money at the bad places.
Reliable wifi. Yes, this is a modern luxury, but it is so darn handy. I love being able to easily contact friends and family, upload photos and search for information.
Being able to buy the breakfast you want, and relish eating it.
Kindness, from someone who isn’t being paid to be pleasant to you.
Friends, personal jokes and guitars.
Not having to get up in the morning, or to check out of a hostel by 10am.
An embrace that last longer than usual, and playing the music you love louder than usual.
Going to new places is fun and exciting, but can also be daunting and time consuming as you adjust to their customs, modes of transport, opening hours, products at the supermarket and try to meet new people. I am really thankful that here in Malta I already have some people to hang out with and show me around (and to tell me not to drink the tap water!).