Windy Days
Up until last week it was hot and sunny. Summer seemed to be hanging on, but it was now bearable to be outside in the sun. And then, overnight, autumn set in. I reluctantly put away my shorts and put on trousers. Then a couple of days ago the WIND picked up. Apparently this happens every year around this time (and I distinctly remember it from last October). I am glad to hear that climate change has not yet completely changed the Maltese weather patterns.
Our flat is at the top of a valley leading down to the sea, so our windows seem to bear the brunt of the wind. I opened up the balcony door for fresh air and things began to fall over, which actually scared me a bit. M says it was not so bad at his office but over here it was quite a storm. Because the rain has started too, after a summer with barely a drop. Still, last year we had no real cold winter and it is still fine to walk outside with maybe a light long-sleeved top so I am not complaining.
Speaking of being outside, a few days ago I walked across the windy Sliema streets (and I am proud to report that I no longer get lost) to meet up with La Delirante and her husband David. LD is a Salvadoran who moved to Malta two years ago with her Maltese then-boyfriend-now-husband and keeps a blog about her experiences living in her new country. Sound familiar? And I thought I was so original, ha ha. We found out about each other through Sabine’s blog, so it was a friendship made in the Maltese blogosphere.
I had a lovely and very long chat with them at a lovely Sliema café as we discussed our lives, how we wound up here, the status of the world, political views, our solutions on how to solve the problems of Malta and the world… a fun time! We then got together again a couple of days later to continue our long conversations and M was able to join us. It was great to trade ideas and feelings and find out that LD has gone through a lot of what I have gone through: the difficulties in finding a job, the problems with the work permit (before she got married), how it is hard to make real friendships with many Maltese because they usually have a social circle that they have known all of their lives. It was also good to speak some Spanish, which I get little chance to do on this island, and show off my Maltese speaking skills as well.
Living in a new place, it is good to find people who have gone through the same experiences and with whom you can relate. While neither LD nor I are the type to sit and speak badly about Malta (which seems to be many expats’ favourite activity), there are genuine grievances and difficulties that are good to let out. Maybe one of these days we should go to Gozo and look up Sabine!
We also enjoyed our meeting and David says your Maltese is great! You forgot to mention the board games and how I defeated you both!
LOL Just kidding, they both defeated me in all the games we played 
Yes, We should really go to Gozo and meet Sabine! I mentioned to her that now that I have a copy of “Angela’s ghost” I would love to have it signed
Don’t forget dinner tonight! We are having Minestrone soup. It will be great with this cool weather
Sounds like you had an awesome time! Well, when y’all are coming over to Gozo, just let me know… would be great to meet you!