Scared to Go to Malta

 

 

       

 

This is what I'm getting, waiting to go to Malta.

 

It's less than three weeks to go now--October 22--and I'm getting waves of anxiety. 

 

I'm scared I'll wake up that day with a detached retina or something--or like a lump somewhere.  And then I'll have to go to the hospital. miss the plane and have nowhere to live (and this is with medicine, folks).

 

I just remembered that the shipping guys are coming on Tuesday, not Wednesday.  So that's one day less I have to pack.

 

Well, packing is not quite the word.  It's more like throwing out and sorting.

 

One good thing about moving internationally--the shipping guys do all the packing for you.  And I mean all of it. They have to do that by law for security and insurance purposes.  You can virtually leave everything as it is--pictures on the walls, clothes in drawers, dishes in cabinets.  You do have to leave signs around as to what goes and what stays.

 

In my case, my cat stays.  That's about it plus the clothes and Egyptian charms I will take with me.

 

But just the clothing is the hard part.  I have to pick out the outfits, cosmetics, handbags, shoes and jackets I figure I will need for the next six weeks--two more weeks after the shipping day in the US--and then four more weeks after I arrive in Malta.  (One thing for sure--I'm taking all my psycho meds with me on the plane in my carry-on case.  And everyone always recommends you do this, just in case your check-in luggage is lost. ) 

 

If you're a woman reading this, then you can imagine how difficult this is, considering I'll be in two different climates. 

 

If you're a man reading this, forget it and move on to the next complaint.

Actually, the hardest part of the "packing" for me has been the stuff in my office.  As a writer, I've accumulated a lot of paper.  I still have to weed out what I can purge myself of and what I need to take with me to set up my home office in Malta.  The other sticky part is making sure I take on board with me all the original documents I need to live in another country.  That's birth, marriage, divorce certificates, passport, cat papers and even police reports that I'm not a criminal.

 

(I'm so happy today that O.J. Simpson has been found guilty of robbery and kidnapping thirteen years to the day that he was acquitted for murder.  Can you believe I took my kid out of school that day to see what the American justice system was like?  Well, she saw what it was like.)

 

Back to the main point here.  The day of shipping is coming and I'm scrambling to get ready.  Do you want to hear how much this shipping is costing me?  I may have told you before but it's worth mentioning again: about $8000.  Luckily, I sold my car to pay for the shipping.  More about that later.  Right now, wish me luck.  And remind me to check for my cat at the end of the shipping day.

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

X'hemm again, Alexandra. Get yourself here and we'll talk and eat. The price of food is like anywhere else--higher than it should be. Eating out is fun, but gets expensive very quickly. I would say the average meal out in a restaurant for one person is 8 Euros. Any other thoughts from other people here in Malta?

[Alexandra Claes]

Hi and nice to meet you!

I would love any contacts possible. It seems as though all of us that will live on the "rock" should join forces and connect!

Geert, my hubby and I are probably coming over in Feb. so he can start networking. He has made contact already as he is a very experienced IT Business Analyst but needs to put a face to the name.

I am hoping that my dad with come with;would be very special to see all the places to match the stories. The language and family connections would help too!

The twins are from my first marriage so does'nt make things easier as I need permission to let them out of the country. We are optimistic. But the twins are at a difficult age and life is never easy.

What brings you to Malta in the first place?

Can you advise me on the price of food, grog and eating out?

I don't know why I'm scared.....perhaps because I'm 38 and assessing my life? I always move and love new adventures. My family always tell me that I'm not settled and am running away.....I call it adventure!...and I don't at all apologise for it.

So I've had a few chardy's and am feeling a little more adventurous this arvo.

Ta so much for chatting to me and lets keep it up. Perhaps when I arrive we can go and have a few pastizzi's?! (and not count the calories!)

Some more info would be great.

Aly.....:)

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Alexandra,

Thanks for your honest comment. I was very scared, and after being here for only two weeks, I do like Malta very much. I'm still in the honeymoon phase, though, as they call it. If you're scared, why not visit the place first and see for yourself? I am here totally alone right now. Mr. S is away in Germany and won't be joining me until February. I just know a couple who moved from Belgium and I can give them your email if you want. You have relatives here; that's a plus! And you're be coming with your family--that's a plus, too. As far as getting work, because you're in the EU, you'll have a much easier time than I will. I would say it's totally normal to be scared. But take a trip and see the place before you get too scared. Best of luck. Ilene

[Alexandra Claes]

Hiya,

I am an Australian but my father is Maltese and so am eligible for dual citizenship. My husband is Belgian and we are a family of 5;15 year old twin girls and a another 4 year girl as well.

We lived in Belgium for 2 years and have returned to Oz (brisbane) for just on 2 years now. The twins found the language very difficult to adjust too and so we came home.

Now we are seriously thinking about moving to Malta with our clan. I have never been to Malta, although my husband has holidayed there.

This is the thing.....I'm really scared. I have many relatives living in Malta, but I worry about the cost of living and the chances of employment and the isolation and bleakness of it all.

My Father thinks I'm crazy for wanting to move there. Can someone please advise me whether the transition is a difficult one and if finding work is a problem and if you really have to live on the smell of an oily rag?

One day I feel all enthusiastic and the next (like today) I worry if it the right thing to do, especially with a global recession imminent.

Any info good and bad would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Alexandra

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Steve,

IF it wasn't for you and so many others who have been so reassuring, I'd be more of a basket case than I am. I think that quote is very intriguing. Obviously the psychiatrists in America are seeing a lot of freedom lately. I look forward to meeting you in Malta!

Best,
Ilene

[Steve Holmes]

We felt exactly the same the week before we left the UK for Malta. I can only say that, if that is the case it must be a perfectly normal reaction. It is after all a major life change, (top marks for stating the obvious). At the risk of repeating myself, it is all worth it in the end.

I do like a quote, the one below is from a Danish writer.

'Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom'. Soren Kierkegaard.