The Place
I don't like grass--and lawnmowers. I don't like snow; in fact, I hate it. I don't like rain. Instead, I like a dry, rocky terrain dotted here and there with cacti and shrubs and violet-colored water all around.
And this is why I love Malta. I want to live in a place that's beautiful. I have never lived in a beautiful place.
This photo is from International Living.com. Please click here to see article.
I could tell you a million facts about Malta--size, population, etc. But I'm going to send you to the very sites I would be looking up to tell you those facts.
So this is what I want to tell you. Malta is a small island (or set of three small islands--Malta, Gozo and Comino). But when you're on it, you don't feel like it's small. It's not like you can see from one end to another. But it does take about 45 minutes by car to drive from one end to another.
One reason is doesn't seem small is that there are so many things to do--horseback riding, walking, shopping (probably not the greatest, compared to the rest of Europe), movies, concerts, restaurants, cafes, festas with fireworks (lot of fireworks--the loud ones), feeding cats, museums, open-air markets. Of course, there's swimming, scuba diving, sailing and boating--but I don't even like those things.
And there are many ancient ruins to see. In fact, the earliest stone structures are in Malta. It's true. These temples and the artifacts found with them predate even the Pyramids. By the way, Malta is only an hour by plane from the Pyramids.
Malta is starkly beautiful, dry and dusty. It has the most wonderful walled cities from the Middle Ages.
And compared to America, it is very safe. Not that it's perfectly safe--no. But women can go out in the evening; there are lots of people around. And--unlike America--the Maltese will respond if you need help (I hope).
Malta is a democratic nation headed by a prime minister. As a foreigner, don't talk politics to the Maltese. They won't like it. If you want to talk politics, talk about American politics; that they like. One of the joys, in fact, of moving to another country is that you don't have to get riled up by politics anymore. Yes, you'll follow what goes on at home, you'll even vote in elections by absentee ballot if you're a good expat, but your blood pressure won't rise every time some politician opens his or her mouth.
But--Malta is also noisy because of too much construction going on in several places. And it's dirty in many places. It's like America was about 50 years ago; people throw litter and garbage in the streets. That's one of the bad things about Malta. But they're working on it. And when I get there, inshallah, I'm going to help. I never cared about a place to help make it better.
And now, here are some of those web sites I mentioned that will give you all the facts you could ever want (remember, that I cannot vouch for the advice/facts in any link; always check for the accuracy and timeliness of facts):
Malta - Overview
Page: 1/2
Click here to go to this country guide's homepage
Capital: Valletta
Population: 398,534 (July 2005 est.)
Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%
Currency: Euro
Timezone: GMT+1
The Maltese archipelago is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. It has three main inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta has few natural resources and its economy depends heavily on tourism and light manufacturing. It enjoys a pleasant climate, which is warm all year round. Its landscape consists mainly of low hills and terraced fields.
Malta is very popular as a retirement destination especially among British nationals. Culturally, Malta has strong links with Britain as a result of the colonial association (Malta gained independence from Britain in 1964).
Valetta is the busy capital and seat of government, while other main towns include Sliema, a large modern town with many hotels, restaurants, bars and shops, and the quieter city of Mdina and its suburb Rabat. Victoria is the bustling market town capital of Gozo.
Malta
Fast Facts
Fast Facts
Population: 401,880
Capital City: Valletta
Climate: Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers
Time Zone: GMT+1
A crime free Mediterranean island where a three bedroom house can cost less than $100,000 - Moving to Malta - Malta is a European island retreat exotically spiced with a Moorish flavor. It's a Mediterranean island of just 350,000 people that has a lot to offer, not least of which is a warm climate. Living costs are low, there are juicy tax concessions, and almost everybody speaks English. You won't find many places where it's so easy to integrate into local society. Property prices aren't bargain-basement, but you'll find some good deals…if you know where to look. by Steenie Harvey
Cats. Lots of cats. Cats are a part of Malta. If you like cats, you'll like Malta.
Please check out these other articles on Malta:
Ilene Springer
Featured Travel Contributor
Paceville is Malta's nightlife capital. It's the first word many foreign students learn when they arrive in Malta.
By Ilene Springer | Published 3/16/2010
Beauty in the Narrow Streets of Birgu, Malta
I can tell I'm not in the USA when I walk through the streets of Birgu. There's an amazing amount of gorgeous potted plants lining the narrow streets of this town from the Middle Ages. It's incredible that no one steals these plants.
By Ilene Springer | Published 3/8/2010
The People
How can you explain the Maltese? They're not Italian, but they sound--and some may look--Italian. Their language isn't Arabic, but many of their words are from the Arabic language.
Last summer, I was in a public bathroom in Malta (not a reason to come to Malta). There was another woman (Maltese) in one of the stalls, and we had both done our business. We each discovered, too late, of course, that there was no toilet paper. So we started an amiable conversation.
"Do you have any?"
"No! Do you?"
"What are we going to do? I can't come out."
Another woman entered the bathroom (also Maltese) and overheard our conversation, which had now risen to the decibel level of a plane taking off. She left, said she'd be back, and returned with a box of tissues which she distributed under the stalls to very greedy hands. The other woman blessed her in Maltese--and so did I--saying she had a good heart.
These are the Maltese.
One Year Later:
I still like the Maltese a lot—as much as I did before I came to Malta. And I feel that the Maltese people I’ve met like me. They seem to like foreigners—which is always helpful.
The only thing I don’t like—and I’ve mentioned this elsewhere—is that the Maltese are very angry and dangerous drivers. The Maltese person who will help you up if you trip on the street will try to run you over with his/her car if you get in the way on the road. Keep this is mind when you cross the street—and I’m not kidding.
And the other thing to consider when you think about the people in Malta is that there are a lot of foreigners here—students and other expats. So the people here in Malta are not just from Malta; they’re from all over the world.
Can You Make Maltese Friends If You're an Expat?
One of the biggest complaints of expats living in Malta is how difficult it is to make friends with the "locals." To understand why, ask yourself - if you're an expat - how many foreign friends you had when you were living in your homeland?
By Ilene Springer | Published 6/28/2010
