Time Flies

It's hard to believe that five days ago we arrived back from a seven night holiday in sunny Malta. The holiday was over far too quickly and shows it really is true that time flies when you're having fun; it's quite ironic, though, that it drags something rotten when you are on the aeroplane.

Malta really is a destination to visit if you haven't already. Good food, wonderful people and plenty to see. I have returned to England approximately half a stone heavier than when I left; though I am adamant that the extra weight is pure knowledge acquired and has nothing to do with the amount of food engulfed.

While on the topic of food, Malta really does score highly in the quality of what they eat. Being a small island surrounded by very clean and clear waters, they are very big on their fishing. A personal favourite they serve is tuna fish, with tomatoes, capers and olives in a Ftira; which is a traditional Maltese bread. To top off each meal, they have a wide selection of beautiful and delicious cakes. Thanks to our half-board hotel, we had an open buffet style dinner to which we could help ourselves to as much cake as we liked. All the cakes were brought in from the local bakery, freshly baked that day.

Dinner would commence at half past six, so without delay we would be at our table eating. At around seven fifteen a large group of around twenty Italians would appear. This was the point where the room would become very loud, the food would disappear rather quickly and the British order of the queue would go out the window. After around the third or fourth night we realised the stark difference between British and many other Mediterranean nations. You can spot the British from a mile off, miserable sods sitting in the corner, in silence so really might as well be on their own. Yet the Italians, along with a few other nations, just seem to be very interactive, full of life and very conversational. Personally, I concluded maybe they just have a constant monologue with themselves to inform everyone what they are doing.

I was amazed at how friendly and helpful the Maltese people are. I'm not sure if this has something to do with the history of the island being part of the British Colony until only forty years ago, or whether they truly do just embrace the tourism. Whatever the reason, it certainly puts a vast number of people and their attitudes to shame. It seemed, every person in Malta is willing to go out of their way to help. Observing the drivers on the road, they didn't seem possessive of the like some road hogs we see in England. Rather they worked together like a flock of birds, all moving individually as one body. This was beautiful and a breath of fresh air to see. It also brought to mind about the tolerance of people in England. Many say that the British are a very tolerant nation, to which this may be true. Yet, if we were less uptight and particular there would be no need to be so tolerant when things are not how we want or expect them.

From this holiday I have learnt about the country's amazing history and seen its beautiful land and clean water. From now on I am going to remember the courtesy and love I witnessed among these people and try to become more like them. This would be a lot easier if most people just kept out of my way... Ha ha, I am of course joking... okay, half joking :D Instead of tolerating people, I will strive to accept that each person is to their own and we all have a unique way of walking through our lives.