Full circle

Our Malta exploration

In case you aren’t aware, military personnel, active or retired, are exquisite planners. It matters in their profession, for their daily successes as civilians or friends or operators. Andy had planned this exploration successfully indeed. He saved the single best for last.

The sun was setting as our Bolt hire dropped us at the entrance between the walled city and Rabat, both on a high point with a glorious 360o view. We passed into the centuries’-old fortification housing the magnificent church and a hidden world of alleys.

More ornately decorated chapels nestled among the limestone walls. Few shops remained open, refreshingly, as the tourists’ day drew to a close

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We were there for dinner, with Medina catering to vegans more effectively than too many stateside restaurants. We took in the view, wondering about the interiors of many dark homes we passed as we wound around to the relevant alley for our soirée.

Medina restaurant under the simple light fixture on the left.

My husband pulled me aside afterwards to say it was the best chicken he had ever had, even though he doesn’t like blackberries themselves which were central to the meal. The wait staff struggled a tad with our individual requests: Whiskey straight’ required multiple explanations as did ‘three sparkling versus one still water’ which became two and two but no matter. Melon sorbet was refreshing and welcome.

The moon shone brightly as we departed mid-evening. It cast an air of mystery on this quiet place standing in tribute to a culture that goes with the flow. Our hosts would say ‘Mella’ with a shrug as things are gentle here.

Our flight is delayed but hopefully not too long as I want only warm, fond memories of this place that takes life more seriously than merely who is up and who is down. I know some of that has to exist but the focus we saw on relationships and joy seems to far outweigh our competitions.

I hope you have enjoyed our Malta exploration to remind us all that other places do manage to live without our national craziness. Thankfully we have a Continuing Resolution approved to keep the upheaval at bay for a bit longer. The current annual fighting is not how one runs a superpower in my book but I welcome your thoughts.

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Be well and be safe. FIN