Caught in the Rain
Apologies for the long break. I have had the most terrible case of writer’s block, and have simply been scratching my head trying to think up writing ideas. I suppose this means I am getting so settled in my new home, that I no longer find many new things unusual. Ha ha!
I was going to write about how great it is to have such lovely weather, while most of my friends in the northern hemisphere are beginning to struggle with winter or its beginnings. But just now I went out and got caught in the rain. Not only rain, but an incredible gust of WIND came out of nowhere. My poor umbrella has seen its last day. We ventured on, broken-umbrella and I, through the wind and rain and tried not to slip on the way home. I am now in dry clothes, and noting that the rain stopped the moment I came back inside. Some days are just like this.
I have been having a bit of what some would call homesickness. Except in my case, I am not exactly sure where home is because I lived in many places. And it is not exactly streets and buildings of a city that I miss, but my family and close friends. They, too, are spread out throughout the world now, so I cannot point to a specific place. It has not been terrible, but I have been a bit nostalgic. It is bound to happen when one moves to a new country, and I was expecting it sooner or later. I also know from experience that it will pass. Much like a cold or a stomach ache.
On a happier note, last night I was at a friend’s birthday party and I got to meet Ivan’s wife Mandy. It was my first time meeting a reader of my blog, and a couple of other people there said they have been reading as well. I was a bit embarassed, as I am not used to being such a “public figure” but it was indeed flattering to know that people are enjoying my writing and even recommending it to friends!
Mandy and I had a conversation in Maltese, and I understood everything she said even if I stumbled a little in my replies. But the Maltese are always throwing English phrases in their conversations so I will use that as my excuse. Mandy then said that she felt a bit impolite when talking Maltese to a foreigner. Once again, I am surprised by this, as it is not the first time I hear it. I stress again that Malta is the only country I have been to where the locals are embarassed/disinclined to speak their own language to foreigners. In most other places people expect (and in some cases demand) that it should be the foreigners who learn the language.
Il-lejl it-tajjeb (good night) to all!
