What’s December Like in Malta?

      

       Do you REALLY Want to Know?

 

 

It’s 66 degrees Fahrenheit ; 18.9 degrees Celsius.

That’s for today, Tuesday, December 8th.

I’m going to brag now. Yes. No place is perfect and you know I’ve told you all the imperfect things about Malta.  Even the weather is often imperfect, especially now because it’s the rainy season.

But today the weather is fantastic. Sunny. Warm. Tourists are walking around half naked, gazing up at swaying palm trees.   My cat Egypt and Mr. S. are sunbathing on the roof.  This could end with a couple of days of heavy rain, but who cares at this moment.

Here are some questions you may wonder about:

1. Does it feel like Christmas here?  Yes. (I’m Jewish so I never celebrated Christmas as a child). But yes, it feels like Christmas—there are Christmas lights and trees and Santa’s and songs and religious scenes all over.  Christmas songs play in the stores.  Stores are now open on Sundays in this Catholic country to reap what they can of the Christmas retail business.  People are overwhelmed with shopping and gift wrapping, cleaning, cooking and baking—just like anywhere else.

               Life-size model of the Nativity Scene in a church courtyard

2. Do I miss snow? No.

3. Even just a little? No.

4. Do I miss the brisk cold air? No.

5. Do I miss heavy coats and boots and scarves and mittens and facemasks and frozen car doors, windows and windshields? No.

6. Do I miss dog poop and yellow pee stains (mostly from dogs) in filthy six-foot drifts that won’t melt until May? No.

So that’s today’s weather report.  I’ll be back to complaining about other things very soon.

Meanwhile, thanks to all of you who honor me by reading this blog and contributing your comments (the best part to me).  And I wish all of you a very happy and healthy holiday and New Year. 

By the way, do yourself a favor and SKIP the movie 2012 which is about the end of the world.  Not the most optimistic way to start off the New Year.

 

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Wow, Dee-that is hot there. But does it help that its dry, as they say?  When we went to the movies, we were one of two couples in the entire theatre. It was during the day and it costs 5 Euros each.  You  and Mike have a great New Year xxx Ilene

[Dee Owen]

I would love to experience the Malta winter. It's 91F. outside in the shade, 96F indoors with all the windows and doors open. Dry and windy. Sure doesn't feel like the Christmas season. But they all shop til they drop with all the trappings and decorations!
Saw 2012 here, cost $1.25 and was full of Spanish speaking people, with sub-titles. They didn't need them. Never see the movies full here - wish we hadn't gone either!
Happy Holidays!

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi there Katie--wow, Ive never heard anyone complain about San Francisco before!  I guess the weather can be bad in the best of places.  A big hug to you, too, and a really good and healthy New Year. Cant wait until you come to Malta again--Ilene

Comment:

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Mary, thanks, as usual, for your sweet message. I hope you do pry your husband out someday to a warmer place--at least for a bit of time. All the same wishes for you--Ilene

[Mary Bartolotta]

Hello Ilene,
It's snowing here. Second storm withing the week. Ugh!! If I could pry husband out of this place in the winter I would in a second. No soap. We have spent Christmases in the tropics on occasion. It definitely feels like the Christmas you describe. Snow and cold are really not necessary. Happy Chanukah to you and Merry Christmas to Mr.S. Enjoy the festivities in Frankfurt. Let's all look forward to good things, good health, and happiness in the New Year. As always, be well.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Sebastion--Glad you enjoy the cold weather.  I like the Gluehwein, too!  Yes, the Christmas markets are great--really nbice stuff and hot junk. I will actually be in Frankfurt for a few days, and so Ill be able to go. And, yes, 2012, was very stupid as far as the plot goes--with ridiculous last-minute escapes. But the destruction scenes scared me and Im scared its going to happen, as predicted--Ilene

 

[sebastian]

Cold weather is perfect. It's a good excuse to drink some "boiled wine with spices" on the Christmas Market. This would be the German tradition.
My "tradition" would be go from one cinema to another and see any movie which runs. But this was in Romania (low price). Now, I'm glad when the friends from East are telling me "2012 is annoying the repeated last minute escapes" so I invest the 7 Euro movie ticket in wine on the Christmas Market.

[Katie Somera]

Hey there Ilene - hope you are well. I am jealous, wish the weather here was the same. We have gotten a super cold snap here in San Francisco and it even froze last night, people we up scraping their windsheilds off this morning! When I first moved here I didn't miss the midwest winter weather and still don't, just wish it would warm up a little bit.
No rain for us yet.
Big Hug - Katie