An-American-in-Malta

Slugs in Malta

     

     Slugs on a Floor; Slugs in the Toilet

Malta has some beautiful things.  And then it has…the above.

Slugs.  They come in when there’s been a lot of rain.  They squeeze themselves through cracks in the door to the yard.  And the big ones are about the size of the one in the photo above.

One evening I came down to find about five squirming into my cat’s food bowl. They move by secreting this yuck—this slime.  I was by myself (except for my cat watching me—even she won’t go near them) and I had to pick up each slippery one with a paper towel and throw it in the toilet in the small bathroom downstairs.  I was screaming but no one could hear me.

Then guess what happened. Right--the toilet wouldn’t flush.  Of course, at one point I had to pick up the toilet lid and look in.  And one was crawling out (just like in monster movies).

I dropped the lid back down and ran out of the bathroom. But I was scared to go upstairs because I was afraid they would come out of the toilet and look for me.

Here’s the worst experience I had.  Egypt, my cat, is a Persian and always gets her fur soaking wet when she drinks water from her bowl. One time she came purring on my bed and she was all wet as usual. But there was some knot or something caught in her fur.

Expat Meeting this Friday—Feb 26

                  

                  Just Us  Expat Group Meets

                           at Bianco’s in St. Julian’s

 

Just Us—a group of expats looking to relax and chat with each other—will meet again this Friday, February 26th around 8 PM at Bianco’s Restaurant, located in St. Julian’s right at Spinola Bay.

BIANCO'S St. George's Road, St. Julian's Bay, St. Julian's, Malta Phone:
2135 9865

Just come in and join us. Don’t be shy.  Just show up—no calls, no emails necessary.  Look for a group of people chatting and complaining; listen for all the accents—German, French, British, American, Libyan, Australian and others—and that will be:  Just Us.

We’ve got a spot for you.

How Much Do You Really know about the ETC in Malta?

    

     Take the ETC  Quiz and Find Out!

 

Take this quiz and and then check your answers on the following link:  The Answers to the ETC Quiz.  There will be two grand prizes given to the winners: The new ETC Board Game and a trip for two aboard one of the last-remaining luxury Maltese buses to Hal Far—where you can take a leisurely tour of the waiting room of the ETC.

Questions—True or False?

1.The ETC—known as the Employment and Training Corporation-- has formally changed its name to the Eternal Torment Corporation and is located in Hell Far, Malta.

2. The ETC likes you, especially if you’re from a Non-EU country.

3. When the ETC changes its regulations, it updates its website.

4.  The ETC is flexible.

5. The clerks at the ETC are nice.

6.The ETC is the worse part of the government of Malta.

7. The ETC is very tricky.

8. You can induce labor by taking the bus to Hal Far (Hell Far).

9. The ETC won't divulge any information about your case to you or your employer over the phone.

10. The ETC thinks that I’m just going to give up and leave Malta.

 

A Funny Thing Happened on my Way to Valletta

 

               I got “Mugged” in Malta

 

Mr. S. and I were on our daily trek trying to get me a work permit.  This time we were in Valletta seeking the Immigration Department,  hoping that I could get declared as a Non-EU dependent of an EU national in Malta.

Huh? What’s so hard to understand about that?

But first we had to find out if Mr. S. would qualify for Maltese residency himself.

On our way, I saw a big Kit Kat delivery truck.  The doors were open and I walked over and asked if they were giving away any free Kit Kats.  I didn’t expect anything, but then the guy inside the truck handed me a free Kit Kat mug.

My mug is (or was) different than the one you see above. It said Take A Break on it.   So it wasn’t more than 20 minutes later that my mug took those words literally and fell down and broke while Mr. S. was getting his photo for his potential Maltese ID card.

Now the question is: Is that good or bad luck?

Trying to Get My Work Permit Again in Malta

                  It’s My Permit and I can

                         Cry if I Want to..

                                                                                                  

 

Wow, and I thought it was bad the first time.

I actually laid my head down on the desk of an ETC representative and started to cry today.

The Order of Events:

1. Good news: my EFL school wants to hire me again to teach in March.

2. I call up the ETC (the Employment and Training Corporation of Malta) that determines who does and doesn’t work in Malta.  And for a non-EU, such as myself, that means who stays and doesn’t stay in Malta.  Someone at the ETC tells me that my employer—and I—have to fill out the 20 or so forms for an extension of employment—since I already worked at the school before.

3. I download the forms the person has sent me—and literally, the only difference between the original permit application and the extension for a permit—is the word Extension on the application.  Everything else is the same. And that in itself is ridiculous because it’s filling the exact same info as before—which is already in the file at the ETC.

4. I bring the whole load of crap to my boss, and she and I spend almost an hour redoing a whole application procedure that differs in only one word.

5. I bring it to the ETC this morning (Thursday).  It takes an hour to get there (Mr. S. comes with me) on two buses which are so bumpy that I almost have a miscarriage—and I’m too old to even be pregnant.

5. We get to the ETC building and everything has changed from before—”new” waiting room and  procedure; new director (my man Tony who knew me is no longer there); a sign that says that the charge for only non-EU’s had doubled now up to 150 Euros for the non-refundable application fee and 80 Euros for the permit pick-up fee.

5. And, believe it or not, the toilet situation has changed.  This time there’s no light in the bathroom—which is actually a good thing because the toilet doesn’t flush and this way you can’t see the deposits of about 30 former visits to the toilet.  

US Girl Scouts Need Info on Malta

             

               What’s a Typical Day Like

                      for Maltese Kids?

                          This photo is from 12 Design.net

I got this very sweet email the other day: 

 

Dear Ms. Sennuwy,

My name is Amy Bennett.  I am a Girl Scout leader from Ohio. Our troop is representing Malta in our service unit's World Thinking Day.  We are having a difficult time finding some information, but we found your website. We hope that you would be able to help us. We need to find a simple craft item to make that represents the country along with a food or dessert item. Would you have any suggestions? We have been trying to find out what a typical day consists of for children in Malta. What are popular games, activities, hobbies?  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Amy Bennett & Troop 673

 

I’ve already sent Amy some links to sites for lace and glass crafted in Malta.  Does anyone know the answers to her other questions?  And does someone know a girl scout or troop leader in Malta who would get in touch with Amy and her troop?

Thanks a lot--Ilene

Mr. Scissors Hair Salon in Malta

         

 

           On the Cutting Edge of Malta’s Hair Salons

 

                              Pat in action at her shop

 

Don’t let the name fool you: the hair expert in this lovely little salon is really a Ms.  Her name is Pat Micallef, and she’s been designing hair for men and women since 1984.

You get just what you want at Mr. Scissors, located right in the heart of Sliema.  If you don’t want your hair trimmed too short, you’ll be happy with the results in the mirror.  If you want something new or different but not sure what, Pat will help you pick a style that suits you—not just anyone on the street.

There was an expat—a guy—who would never let anyone cut his hair wet (which is, of course, the way you’re supposed to cut hair).  But once Pat convinced him to try it once, he’s now in her salon every month for his favorite treat—Pat’s shampoo and cut.

Expats, tourists and locals alike seek out this cozy haven for a great haircut—and a well-deserved break from work, touring or cleaning the house.  Pat recently refurbished the salon, but made sure it retains the casual atmosphere it’s known for. 

“I really like it when people can come here and let their hair down,” says Pat. “But the most important thing is that people trust me with the scissors.”

Go there on a Saturday morning and you’re likely to meet Pat’s mum who comes in for a shampoo and trim, her daughter Tasha--and her grandchildren.  And Pat’s cosmetologist daughter-in-law Angela will come and give you a pedicure and/or manicure.  This salon is definitely a family affair.

While you’re waiting for your hair to set, you’ll get a great cup of espresso and get to have a chat—if you wish—with some of the locals.

Mr. Scissors

• 329 Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema
• 2134-6363 or 79346363
• Appointments and Walk-ins; Closed Wednesdays

Paid Promotional

Uh Oh…Opening a Joint Account in Malta

      

       It’s not so Easy for EU’s Either

 

 

This always happens.  Mr. S. tells me not to do something—and then he ends up doing it himself. But then it’s OK.  (Don’t worry—this is useful information.)

We went to the HSBC branch in Sliema today to open a joint account for the rent.  They’re actually very nice in there. While we were waiting to see an account opener—or whatever they’re called—they asked if we wanted coffee or hot chocolate.

Yes, hot chocolate.

I was so shocked that a bank would offer you hot chocolate that I panicked and said no. Then chocolate withdrawal set in. By the time I finished shaking, it was our turn. Mr. S. had asked me if I really wanted to do the talking because, it seems to him, that I talk around in circles sometimes and I don’t get to the point.

Huh. 

So I told him to give me a signal—instead of interrupting me—by touching my arm if I’m talking to much. 

We sat down, I stated our business in maybe 60 seconds. 

Then we got the info about starting a joint account.  I was all set because I already had an account with HSBC-Malta which I had started about six months before I came to Malta.

Mr. S., on the other hand, had to go through a whole process—even though he’s from the EU and has an account in Germany.

The first question: did he have the elusive Maltese ID card?  The answer was no—and then that meant that the HSBC-Malta Plan B would have to go into effect.

Update on Buying or Renting in Malta

   

For you property buffs, here is the updated information for the section on buying or renting in Malta.  I’ve learned a lot from one year in renting in Malta—as I expected to.  And the most important lesson is this: A house or flat (apartment) is like trying on a pair of shoes: if it doesn’t seem good the first time you “try it on,” it won’t get better after you buy (or rent) it:

          

              Buying or Renting

 

Tip:

Rent first. You knew I would say that, didn’t you?  But it’s a good idea. That way, in a year’s time, you’ll know what areas in Malta you’ll like or don’t like, what kind of place you can afford, what you get for your money in Malta, etc.  

Besides, the housing market in Malta is at all-time unreasonable high—just as it was in the US and Spain before the proverbial bubble burst.  If you really want to buy—rent, wait a year or two—and then look around.

We ended up renting an old-style Maltese townhouse when we came here in October, 2008.  It was the first place we saw and we paid 500 Euros/month for it.  Compared to the US, this was a good deal.  We were seduced by the little enclosed yard and the roof which we turned into a roof garden.

For particulars, please see the following article:

Renting a Townhouse in Malta

Live like the Maltese

Maybe you'll be on this Mediterranean island for only a couple of weeks. Or maybe you're thinking of living here for several months to find out if Malta is a place you want to retire to. What kind of living arrangement should you make?

Published on Associated Content.com

 

The landlord, who we loved at first (of course) told us that we could be in here for years; it was his boyhood home and he wanted a couple just like us who would take care of the place.

Well, we did love the place despite the fact that the toilet wouldn’t flush, the refrigerator door wouldn’t close, tiles were missing, there was mold on many ceilings and walls—all the things that he would said he would fix—and didn’t.

We did a lot of repairs ourselves.  After only three months, he started asking us if we wanted to buy the place. We said no, it was too high priced, etc. This continued for another six months until the landlord said he was putting in on the market. Then he started bringing people in to see it—which ruined the place for us.  As of now—Feb, 2010—we’re looking for another place to rent on a more guaranteed long-term basis. And this time—it will be a modern apartment with a large terrace.

I don’t regret the townhouse; I wish it had been a better arrangement. We’ll probably never to be able to rent a townhouse like the one we had in great shape. But I’m glad we did it. It was a good first year in it.

Before you rent or buy, here are some things you should know:

1. You cannot trust what you see online on the real estate websites.  Many places you see were rented years ago and no longer exist!  When they rent a place, they often don’t take it offline.  On the other hand, sometimes you'll see a place that is available in the future—say, 2012.  That means, believe it or not—that the place is currently rented and you can reserve it for when the renters move out!  The only reliable way you can

2. Get every single thing in writing—what you want repaired before you rent or buy.

3. When you like a place, don’t take it—renting or buying—until you go the neighborhood at night. There are things and sounds at night that don’t happen in the daytime when people are at work or kids at school. We walked through a couple of neighborhoods where deaf people lived and the TV’s were on so loud throughout the neighborhood—we couldn’t stand it.  Also listen for—and it won’t be hard to hear—screaming babies or yelping dogs—which mysteriously appear at night on the street where you live.

4. The worst thing than can happen is that construction starts right next to or across from your apartment. Malta is, unfortunately, constantly under construction. So if you see a permit for construction anywhere near you, you MUST check out when it’s to begin.  Call the authority listed on the permit. Don’t ask the landlord or real estate broker; they will only tell you that the permit is there for nothing.

Good luck.

 

Mr. Scissors Hair Salon

                       

 

        On the Cutting Edge of Malta’s Hair Salons

 

                             Pat in action at her shop

Don’t let the name fool you: the hair expert in this lovely little salon is really a Ms.  Her name is Pat Micallef, and she’s been designing hair for men and women since 1984.

You get just what you want at Mr. Scissors, located right in the heart of Sliema.  If you don’t want your hair trimmed too short, you’ll be happy with the results in the mirror.  If you want something new or different but not sure what, Pat will help you pick a style that suits you—not just anyone on the street.

There was an expat—a guy—who would never let anyone cut his hair wet (which is, of course, the way you’re supposed to cut hair).  But once Pat convinced him to try it once, he’s now in her salon every month for his favorite treat—Pat’s shampoo and cut.

Expats, tourists and locals alike seek out this cozy haven for a great haircut—and a well-deserved break from work, touring or cleaning the house.  Pat recently refurbished the salon, but made sure it retains the casual atmosphere it’s known for. 

“I really like it when people can come here and let their hair down,” says Pat. “But the most important thing is that people trust me with the scissors.”

Go there on a Saturday morning and you’re likely to meet Pat’s mum who comes in for a shampoo and trim, her daughter Tasha--and her grandchildren.  And Pat’s cosmetologist daughter-in-law Angela will come and give you a pedicure and/or manicure.  This salon is definitely a family affair.

While you’re waiting for your hair to set, you’ll get a great cup of espresso and get to have a chat—if you wish—with some of the locals.

 

Mr. Scissors

• 329 Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema
• 2134-6363 or 79346363
• Appointments and Walk-ins; Closed Wednesdays

 

Paid Promotional