Living my life: Malta

The mediteranian jewel – Malta

Easily accessible from Europe and with an English-speaking population, Malta makes a superb holiday destination. Just 27 km long by 14 km wide, the best of the island can easily be seen on a very short trip. Nevertheless, the discerning tourist will find themselves longing to linger here a while longer. Malta's ancient history has left the island littered with historical attractions from various periods in history including World Heritage Sites such as the Megalithic temples, the capital city of Valletta and the Hypogeum. Culture lovers will find that there is always something going on be it a play, concert or art exhibition.

But Malta has much more to offer than history and culture. Surrounded by the glistening waters of the Meditteranean sea, Malta is a great spot for a beach or family holiday. Wrecks left over from WWII and underground caves have also made the island a favourite destination for diving. Similarly, Malta is a popular spot for sailing and kayakers will find her calm waters easy to navigate. The adventurous will also find that the island's rugged cliffs provide spectacular climbing. Tourists also visit Malta to play golf and tennis which can both be enjoyed throughout the year. Over the last 20 years, Malta has become a premier destination for English language students and there are now some 45 English schools on the island.

My Maltese experience

Enough of that bullshit, let's get down to the real stuff J. I was working in Malta for a month during the summer, as a summer student at the WSC in the laboratory doing phosfate validations. Before coming to work there, I visited Malta earlier that year in May for 1 week with my friend Klemen and his friend Blaž. Through Travelbuddy.com i met Franklyn who lives there and kindly offered me his tips on what to see and do in Malta. Once arriving we aranged a metting in the center of Paceville (Malta's party town) to hit a couple of bars but me and my friends were to tired to meet. Luckily we met the next day at the 90´s party at Numero Uno. Immediately we met and started talking in the croud and soon after we were dancing with their friends and having a great time and for the rest of the trip him and Melissa took us to see this beautiful rock. When I came home i had quite of travel blues, but it ended soon after when i got the call from Frank telling me i can get a job at the WSC, where he works at!That was one of my happiest moment till this day. I still remember being on the corrider at the FKKT jumping like a 5 year old. Since i knew Frank and Mel only for 7 days i was really looking to get to know both of them and expecially Maltese people some more and to see what they are really like, because that's what travelling is all about!I'm the tipe of guy who really likes to see what people and how they act like and to see which of theirs treits i would like the most and would do myself.

I fell in love in Malta as soon as I started working and after the first BBQ on the beach. The way of living in Malta is quite different from other EU countries in a lot of ways. Even if they are the laziest country in Europe (regarding phisical activities; latest research), most of them start working at the age of 14, before ending high school or they have at least summer jobs in their field of work. Regarding their experiance, they are quite mature and well trained early on. But the work alone is alot of fun. Where i worked at we were close and always having a laugh. I'm not the type of guy that usually gets close to anyone the first time we meet. It usually take me at least two to three weeks of meeting them on daily basis to get relaxed around them, with the lab stuff it was much easier to me because:

· They are super nice
· I'm on my own
· They are in my field of work

While working, there was always some joke or gossip flying around that everyone could enjoy it and talk about it and the atmosphere was quite calm and deliteful! The two that stood out were Hillary,my sister, and David, aka BMW. Like a lot of Maltese they are so open and the first told me her life story in 2 weeks and till this day we r always talkin, and everything regarding her life. She is open and never judged and was always there if i needed something. From her great sence of humor to the openest, beauty and smarts she at 24 had experienced so much that people in their 60's haven't tried. Like many young Maltese do nowadays. David is the »BMW« of the lab who makes everyone laugh instantly by just looking at him!!

Not only at work place was it like that, even at Franks work place they regulary had smoke breaks and always talking and gossiping. But the atmosphere is a bit tense when the boss is there!But that is logical!

Aside from Pastizzi i loved J, my favorite tradition was the BBQ nights where at the coast or beach people would come out with their friends, family and all together grilled eat and by a nice conversation had a great feast. I like Maltese know how to!The sight of the BBQ by the beach and talking, looking at the lights will forever stay in my memory!

They all have tapeworms! It's not possible for people to eat that much and stay quite slim as a population!OMG do they eat a lot, from breakfast to really late snacks and dinner that usually lasts a couple of hours! At the BBQ these is never any leftovers beacause even when you're full they still find a place for a stake or a pink Maltese sausage :P,lol...but they eat gooooodd!They know how to eat and take their time, the right style and a lot of flavor. I gained about 2kg on my trip, while exercising two times a week and still don't believe it's not more from all the food intake.

Maltese personality

With two exceptions, i will explain later, they are above amazing. A whole book wouldn't be enough to write how special they are! With a couple of personal stories i hope you will grasp the reality of what they are and how they act.

1. The first time I cam to Malta me and my friends wanted to go and see Blue Grotto and by some chance we landed in Sieggiewi and I went in this small shop to ask for directions. It was really close to the church, where we 2 months lated ruled the bar ;), and there was a young pretty lady working at the counter who weirdly didn't speak English and when i asked how to get there by bus she didn't know how to tell me where to go but she called her aunt that also didn't know, so she called an old lady who looked like 70+ years and spoke good English. She was so kind and told that she also doesn't know which bus to take but took her time and asked someone who did, she phoned...and we got our answer. I also asked her about her town church and she told me the hole story of who the church protctor is and what their traditions are and also explained how come a lot of Maltese speak English and know Italian. We had a really nice conversation while she was helping in the store and also the young girl and her aunt gave us some tips J

Friends

Now this is a team that every tourist wishes to have! Only knowing them for one week from the previous trip Franklyn took his time (at that time he was also looking for a job in Scotland and was leaving in a month) to get me the job, arranged all the documents necessary, found an amazing flat really close to him, so he can also drive me to work, arranged a lot of trips and BBQ, introduced me to many of his friends,... but the most import thing was that he really showed me how Maltese live and function which is the most important for me!Also Mel, with her amazing touch for people and knew when to help me and talked to me, also both of them devoted a lot of time takeing me and my friends everywhere and showing us the true Maltese treasures and letting us see what Malta is all about! I should not forget all the parties and gatherings...amazing!Frank is the party king of the rock!I also really got close to Hilary from work and Violet (after qormi feast) with her xap pa pah, who perfectyl fits the Maltese sterotype...loud, friendly, crazy, gossipy! <3 all of them!!

I really hope we will stay friends for life cos with friends like that life is easy, fun and unforgetable! I also have to mention Audrey, my wine expert; Micquela, my cute awesome friend ;Marvic, Gabriel, Maria, Norbert,...so many, but all so amazing :)

The two things i have noticed and didn't like were that they drink and drive quite a lot (having said that, they are still good drivers when they drink as well, except for the time when we almost got in an accident)! The other would have to be all the gossiping and talking behin peoples backs. But to be really honest, i also did it when i was in Malta and it felt good, expecialy when you are in their skins. As Frank explained it's also a good, because you find out everything about someone and if someone needs help they all pitch in and help, which might change their lives!!That's also why i haven't seen any people sleeping outside.