As dawn breaks we think we are looking at fog out over the bay to the open sea. For the first time on our weather channel the forecast says 'dust' .....not rain, not wind, not fog, just dust. I've never seen that description before. Everywhere is hazy. The warm winds blow across the Mediterranean from the Sahara Desert. The strong winds have been blowing for four days now and we are seeing the results.
Some days seem to last a long time and this is one of them. We walked to the main bus stop this morning, starting our look around town. First stop is the BOV, Bank of Valletta, to change a€500 note. We forgot it was Saturday and the banks only let so many people in at a time. We were number four in line. There was a different line for the ATM. We aren't desperate for change so we bail on our first chore. A short walk and we are at the bay. I opt to sit in the sun looking out at all the boats while Bob checks out the two fresh fruit and vegetable trucks. It's too early to start shopping and carrying stuff so we catch another bus, #91 that takes us to St Thomas Grocery. I had seen online that they offer free delivery. That's what we need because we have to buy water and we definitely can't haul that on our backs. In St Paul's Bay our wine seller brought our water with our wine:).
Before we start shopping we get the delivery information sorted out. Most people in Malta speak some English. But they speak Maltese first and the further you get away from the more touristy areas the less conversant they are. We are in a local market in a town of less than 12000 people. This is a family owned and operated store. The free delivery includes me and Bob. As soon as we have paid the bill the owner loads all our stuff in his van, we climb in the front seat along with all kinds of stuff including a hub cap on the floor and off we go. The owner told us their business is run on making customers happy. We are happy. He and his wife have been operating their store for 31 years. Now their daughter is also a part of it. This is the part of Malta I enjoy.
The plan was to unpack our groceries and head back out. But the sun was so warm and we had our deck chairs set up. It seemed like a much better idea to sit back and, hopefully, let the sun soak these colds out of us.
Our rooftop apartment is unique in that it has two patios, one that looks out over other apartment blocks and across to the bay, the urban view. The other one looks out on a rural vista. No buildings just the random wandering of stone walled fields in varying degrees of growth.
We pass the afternoon away pleasantly. I was looking out at the church below us that has the ringing bells that sound so wonderful. I noticed a red carpet leading to the doors and with my binoculars I see three men in tuxedos standing in front. I think we have a wedding happening:). It is just before four o'clock and then I hear a horn honking. Still looking through binoculars I see a big silver car approach, maybe a Rolls Royce or a Bentley....too far away to tell, but there is the bride and her father. Being a catholic country I assume it will be at least an hour before the ceremony is finished. I spend the time preparing dinner while Bob has a shower and then at 5:00 everyone piled out of the church, bride and groom and confetti thrown, into the big silver car and away. The church bells played " here comes the bride", then rang after the ceremony too. A timely peek into somebody's special day. There's a Maltese party happening somewhere in Marsascala tonight.
Tomorrow to Marsaxlokk and the Sunday Market. We've been to a weekday one but we'll see how much bigger and busier the Sunday one is.
An aside to today's walk....
Last year for Sherry's birthday I did a Picasso style card. It has been our joke.....she is 'mi Picassa' and I'm some kind of Rembrandt, lol. But today we found a new car for her ....a lovely gold coloured Peugeot Picasso.
It has been 'suggested' that it would be cheaper for all if she just went to a decal store and added the name to her trusty Toyota.
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