Malta

Since this blog started as a place to talk about travel, I should follow up on that first post, from last year. I did indeed go on a tour to Malta, and Sicily, and Italy.

I came to Malta a few days early (when you live on the west coast of North America, a trip to Europe brings on major jet lag.)

It's a fascinating small country, consisting of two large islands - Malta and Gozo - and five smaller ones. Located more or less in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta has been explored, invaded or colonized by almost everyone - Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, the Knights of St. John, the Ottomans and the British. After 150 years of British rule, the islands became independent in the 1960's. English is still one of two official languages. The other, Maltese, sounds a bit like Arabic mixed with Italian and English, and features an amazing number of words spelled with "x" or "xx."

The picture is a closeup of a Maltese fishing boat, painted in traditional colors. The eye design, painted or carved on each side of the bow of these boats, is a good-luck symbol.