Yesterday in Malta

Hello! The internet was down yesterday and I was unable to write.

I LOVED Malta! I really had no expectations, but really fell in love with the place.

It was the first time I was ever in a place where they drove on the other side of the road and the driver and passenger side are switched.

The two main languages are English and Maltese. I think one of the reasons I fell in love with the place is because everything is written in ENGLISH!! It has been very interesting to be in all these places where I cannot identify with the language. We passed by the American Embassy; I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to see the American flag flying above the beautiful building!

The picture above is of the Presidential Palace. I had a most interesting experience. I was walking by and a guard stopped me. I couldn't figure out what I had done wrong!! But, to my left, was the President of Malta!! He was about 2 feet away from me!!! He was going to his palace!

The whole island seemed so clean; the people take very good care of their country. My tour guide was in her 20s. She spoke of such emotion about WWII. Obviously, she was not yet born when WWII happened. However, there was a passion in her voice as she spoke of the era. According to her, Malta was the most bombarded place during WWII--over 3000 attacks. People lived in underground shelters for 2-3 years. They also lived in caves and catacombs! One of the reasons it was bombarded so much was because the British (Allies) were using it as a base and the Axis Powers wanted to destroy the island. If this is confusing to you now, it will all become clear when we study WWII in the spring.

I love this trip. It never would have occurred to me to visit Malta. My life is richer because of it.

Bye!