Malta is cross-cultural carnival... and you become part of it the very moment you step your foot on this rock! And roll...
Just by stepping to this soil, Malta's charm buzzes through you, making you its witness and herald at the same time!
In previous Part I and Part II of my Malta Experience Series, I presented you its timeless streets and unique architecture, but all of those you could find on Google street view. (Of course I recommend to see it for yourself!)
The ESSENTIAL PART OF EVERY JOURNEY is meeting people and feeling the everyday heartbeat of each place you visit. And what did I find in Malta?
First of all, this is the country that welcomes different people from all over the world.
It's very popular destination for those who ask for adventurous journey or hangover holiday, but also for those who are simply looking for a new descent life. That's way Malta gathers people form Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Britain, Russia, Turkey, USA, Balkan, Eastern Europe, Africa... even South America and China...
The thing is that all those different people fit in so smoothly mostly because the fact that society on this Mediterranean island has been historically growing from multiculturalism as its core value.
The Maltese language itself is some strange melodic form of interlaced Italian, Arabic and English language [I would say that English is only being used for numbers]. At least that is what I can hear when I listen to Maltese people speaking. [I know it's rude but I'm curious and, in my defense, I can't understand a thing they say :D]
Also, religion represents the significant part of local culture. Especially they praise the Holy Mother of God which says a lot about importance of mother figure in their lives. Guess that's Italian legacy...
Speaking of religion, for two weeks that I have been spending where, I witnessed at least 3 orchestral parades and carnivals followed by afire of salute batteries. All of them were organized for some specific religious holiday. So, these people are managing to be PIOUS and FUN at the same time...
But the most valuable quality of these people is their open mind, open soul and politeness. They are so polite that even bus driver stops the bus and calmly shows you that you can safely cross the street even if you're rude enough not to cross it on zebra. [I was truly ashamed of myself and proud at their hospitality that time]
Basically , what I'm trying to say is that here doesn't matter where are you from [and I mean both - in space and in time], because time isn't counted here and colour of your eyes, hair or skin, as well as tone of your voice is being cherished as an important part of this multicultural symphony....
In Malta, you become more then what genetics and biology meant for you. You are carefree and timeless here...
You are part of its MAGICAL MAJORETTE!