Malta. Part Nine.

I had an image of what I thought Malta was like, before I went. If I was to describe Malta now that I have been, I would describe it as. Quater percent, of it as an old thousands of year-old relics. The half knocked down buildings looked like, what was left after thousands of years of war! I have never seen anything like it. IF someone has said, to me, “Close your eyes and keep them close, now open them,” And then asked me, “Where in the world, do you think you are?” The last place I would have said, was “Malta!”

I then thought, another quater percent of Malta looked like, the buildings were been repaired. There were huge cranes everywhere, it was like a huge building site, with workmen hard at work in the heat! It seemed too hard to work, and it looked like the work would take ages, for speed was not the key, again because of the immense heat. It was SO hot!

The next quater percent of Malta, was of beautiful buildings, homes, and gardens, it was just jaw-droppingly beautiful! My eyes could not take in all the beauty of it all.

The final quater percent of Malta, was made up of hotels, top quality, to a high spec! Putting all the four quarters together, they all had one thing in common, photos, had to be taken of everything, old buildings and new, work sites and gardens, beautiful buildings, and homes, it was breathtaking.

I noticed in all the time I was there, there were no beggars, I didn’t see any homeless people, I looked, for where I live, they are outside the shops, in the Towns and on the roadsides. I didn’t know where they were, for homeless people are around the world. No one came up to me and asked me for money, nor did I see, that happen to anyone.   

Before I went to Malta, I wanted to bring back home, a leather wristband, a T-shirt, a small leather bag, a metal or leather key-ring.

I decided the small leather bag was out, as I have too many bags anyway. So that narrowed it down a bit. I had brought 80 euros with me. On the day we arrived, at the reception desk, we were told, “You have to pay 10 euros, it is nothing to do with the hotel, it is a requirement of the Government.” I paid that. So, in an instant I had 70 euros left. I was trying to figure out what I’d spent my money on. I had also paid for one of the nicest meals that I had while I was there, that cost 20 euros, and on that day, I spent 30 euros, ten euros of that was on the tour ship.

I tried not to bring a lot of money out with me for the day, so I wouldn’t be tempted to spend it all in one day. I always kept my cash locked up in my suitcase, with my passport and other important things. Meghan always used the safe that was in the bedroom. It made me smile, how we viewed security differently, I was old school, that was how I had always done it, and I felt that was secure enough for me.

On our travels I had kept an eye out for gifts that I wanted to get for myself. On the second to last day before we came home, we went out after breakfast. We went to lots of shops. Eventually I saw the leather wristband that I wanted, it was perfect, it was 7 euros. I wanted a T-shirt with Malta on in blue and white, they have beautiful tiles there, but I didn’t get it in that colour, but got it in black and white instead. None of the T-shirts had the design on the front and the back, just the front. Meghan bought my T-shirt. I was chuffed to get the metal key-ring that I wanted in the blue and white, double sided and another different key-ring with Malta on, again metal and double sided. I will choose very carefully which two special bags I will put them on. I was very happy.

My watch, is like a mini version of my laptop and tablet, but better. I can put up to 20 different photos of my choice, on the face, so that the slightest movement of my hand, the face of my watch changes to one of the 20 carefully, chosen pictures that I have taken of Malta, I will see, until I eventually change them. Soon, I will choose those important pictures, of my time spent there.     

On my return home, my brother asked me, “What is next on your bucket list?” I said, “It was a very big bucket, and now that I have been to Malta, the bucket is empty.” I never imagined in my wildest dreams, that I would have ever gone to Malta, in my life-time. It just seemed so far-fetched, and out of reach.

I have told loads of people, that “Meghan has paid for the whole holiday, all-inclusive 4-star hotel, the taxis, the trains, the air fares, days out, gifts….” I went on, “It was a complete surprise, for that is the Only country in the whole wide world, that I have ever wanted to go to.” Their replies, and these were mainly strangers who don’t know me, “That says a lot about you, you have brought her up well.” Hearing those words, from both people who know us and don’t, I felt blessed.

We never know what good, is just around the corner.

I dedicate this story to those who have lost hope, for those with dreams, for those dreams to come true. For those who have fallen out with family, I hope that there will be reconciliation.

I also dedicate this to Meghan. I will never be able to thank you enough.

Love from Mum. xXx