My New Life in Malta

We are back in
Malta after a lovely long weekend in London. All of the Maltese seem to know it well but for me it was all new and exciting. I really did not know much about it, other than some films and books that take place there, and I was very pleasantly surprised. It is such a vibrant and exciting place with so much to see and do, but at the same time it is not terribly overwhelming.

My trips to Europe in the past have started after a long overnight flight across the ocean, so normally I feel a bit tired and “out of it” when I arrive. But the trip from Malta to London is relatively short and there was no need for early rising or lack of sleep. It might not make sense, but I felt disoriented at NOT feeling disoriented when I arrived!

The Tower of London was a big highlight, as we spent hours there and did not even manage to see the whole thing. We also managed to fit in main places such as Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace (outside), Portobello Road market in Notting Hill, Primrose Hill and Camden Town. I think that covers everything.

One damper in the trip was that the bag I had with M’s digital camera and a few other less important items was stolen from under my nose. I do not understand how it happened, as we were four people sitting at a café looking at each other, but somehow someone managed to walk away with it. It was the first time in my life that I had anything stolen, and luckily no one was hurt and there was nothing else of value in the bag. But it did make me feel very vulnerable. Alas, there are no pictures of this trip.

It was also delightful to see my friends I & O again after so many years. It was as if not a day had gone by! M and his sister got along very well with them too, so a nice time was had by all as we explored the big metropolis.

London is not only multicultural but also international. I think I only actually spoke to one British person the whole time. Everyone seemed to be from somewhere else, and all sorts of languages could be heard in the tube trains and streets. The security guard at Gatwick turned out to be… Maltese! How do they get themselves everywhere? It was funny because he began asking me questions about my going to Malta, and I thought I was in some kind of trouble, but it turns out he just wanted to chat because he was born in Floriana.

Speaking of Malta-UK connections, I learned that our pedestrian crossing lights here are the same as in Britain. I thought of Maltese streets whenever I had to cross the road, and now maybe I will think of London when I walk to the seafront.

 Now I am sitting in my desk back in this island. It is good to be home again, but I also cannot wait for the next trip!