Malta. Part Three.

The only country that I have ever wanted to go to in the world, was Malta. As a surprise, my daughter Meghan, surprised me, a holiday for the both of us. She paid for everything, the taxis, the fights, the hotel, and the days out.

We went to Valletta, the capital of Malta. It was a very hot day. From a guide of interesting places to go, we went to the Cathedral, of St John. When we arrived, there was a queue, we looked at the price, to get in; it cost, 15 euros for adults and 12 euros for seniors over 60. I said, to Meghan, “We are not paying that!”

We walked around, there were beautiful, sight and buildings to see, we took lots of pictures. After an hour, we passed the Cathedral again, the queue was a lot longer now, and Meghan said, “Fifteen euros and twelve euros isn’t that much, if you think of it in pounds.” Meghan asked me, “Have you got any ID on you?” I replied, “It is in my bag in the hotel room.” I added, “I will just tell them my age.” We went to the back of the queue. I had heard of the beautiful Churches in Malta, from various people, there were SO many people who have been to Malta, and all of them, had nothing but good to say about the country. To me, a Church is just a Church, I could not imagine getting excited about a Church.

Before anyone got into the Cathedral, everyone’s bags had to be opened, and the security woman looked inside, she also had something in her hand, it looked like a thick wand, I assumed it was to check if there was something in our bags or on our bodies.

There was also other signs and instructions, of what to do and what not to do. If anyone had shoulders that was not covered, male or female, they would be given an item to put over their shoulders, and tied at the front. I knew we were going to the Cathedral, that day, so I put in my bag, the huge thin, linen shawl/scarf, that I brought with me from England.

Another instruction that was on the sign outside, was “No stilettos to be worn, soft shoes will be given.” Meghan and I were both ok with our footwear. “Another sign said, “Photos allowed, but no flash.”

Meghan wore that day a floor-length bright red dress, from the back, from her waist, it was like a soft flowing, skirt to the floor, then above her waist it was four very thin straps. I took my thin lightweight linen shawl from my bag and in the heat, as we neared the front door, I put it over my shoulders.

There were two queues one for lone people and the other for groups, we went in the groups queue, as we were not going in as an individual.

The sign said, “Cover shoulders to show respect,” At the door Meghan was given a new item to cover her shoulders, but it was not big enough to cover her back, so she was given another one for that. It was one size, fits all. Not sure what material it was made from, think it might have been a sort of paper.

Then at the reception, I told the woman, “I am a senior.” She replied, “OK,” I gave her 10 euros and Meghan paid her 15 euros and my two euros.

At the next desk, the woman said, “Would you like an audio?” I said, “Have we got to pay for it?” She replied, “No,” I said, “Ok then.” It was like a mobile phone, in shape, with something attached to it so I could be put around my neck, she showed me the front and said, “Just pick which language you want to listen to.” I replied, “OK, thank you.”

English was at the top, so I clicked on that. I started to listen to it, then I went in through the doors of the cathedral.

Oh, my days, I quickly realized, I could not listen to the audio and take photos!

I had put the audio mobile in my bag, and just took photos after photos, I could not believe my eyes. It was such beauty, such brilliant art, top quality, with different materials like marble, mother of pearl, beautiful wood, gold, statues, vases, crosses, large crucifixes, works of art, it was much more than I could take it, I took SO many pictures. Meghan had gone her way; I had gone mine. I was in complete awe.

It was like a main room, with lots of smaller rooms leading from the main room. Each room had a different story, to explain what was in each room.

I realized why no stilettos were not allowed, half of the photos, I took were of the floor! How could such talent be on the floor, for millions to walk on!? I was SO impressed. It was fantastic! It was more than worth the euros we paid to get in; to think I could have missed all of this, for the sake of a few euros. Everyone should experience such beauty, craftmanship and talent, at least once in their lives.

The good thing, there was no time limit, eventually Meghan saw me and said, “I have found my favourite room.” She said, “Mum have you been listening to the audio?” I said, “No, I want to take pictures instead.” She said, “Mum it is very interesting, it tells you what is happening in each room.” We were both SO happy. All the ceilings, walls and floors were perfect works of art. It was incredible.

Meghan said to me, “How come they don’t make beautiful things like this now?” I replied, “There is no time, back then, the time seemed longer, and people don’t always appreciate crafts and intricate details like this now.” Maghan had a favourite room, because she had listened to the audio. I loved all the rooms. It was difficult to get the essence of it in photos, but I had a good try!

Near the end of our visit, we thought we had seen it all, then the security guard, told us, “There is more upstairs.” Upstairs, amongst other things was a very large photo of the beheading of John the Baptist. It was amazing, I had read this story many times, to see the painting of the young woman with the large bowl, getting ready to have the head, the man doing the beheading of St John, and the old woman who put her hands on her ears, as she did not want to hear the noise of the beheading. That was a digital photo and it explained how the painting was done by the artist, downstairs, was the real painting. That then became my favourite painting in the cathedral, it brought it home. It was very good.      

In total, I took about 500 pictures, inside that amazing Cathedral. It was a 10 out of 10 visit.     

The day before we came back home, Meghan asked me, “What was your best part of the holiday?” I thought for a moment, and said, “It was all good, but if I had to pick one, it would be the visit to the Cathedral.” Meghan said, “And mine.”