 |
| Valetta |
 |
 |
| A gilder restores the gold leaf on an artifact in Mdina, Malta, a city known for its artisans and lacemaking |
 |
| Customers mill through the market in Mdina, Malta. |
 |
| St. Paul's Cathedral in Mdina: Facade |
 |
| A fine brass door knocker in the shape of a lion was made in Mdina, |
 |
| An aerial view of ruins at Mnajdra, a Megalithic complex on Malta composed of several temples. |
 |
| People hug and confetti flies during a festival in Hamrun, Malta. The festa is dedicated to the town's patron saint |
 |
| Hooded men watch an image of the Blessed Virgin pass through the streets of Valletta, Malta, during an Easter Week procession |
 |
| A natural arch, named The Azur Window, stands off the coast of Gozo, Malta. |
| Terraced fields in the Maltese countryside. |
| Malta has a very long history and since the tiny island has been under various foreign rulers, in our history you will find traces of various peoples, from the carteginians to the british, from the normans to the arabs. However my favourite historical site will definately be the prehistoric temples which are supposed to be older than the pyramids and older than stonehenge. The town I live in is a pretty quiet place. It's center dates back quite a bit, however I live in a fairly new neighbourhood. |
| When friends come to stay with me I usually take them to the neolithic temples, then to the city of mdina which is the old capital of malta, then to the new capital which was built by the knights, probably to the war museum which shows all that went on here during world war two and then on to present day area which is full of nightclubs and such. |
| Since our politicians can not decide on one national holiday we have four. However every village has a feast week which usually has religious traditions but there are all kinds of fireworks, marching bands, food stalls etc. Some people take the opportunity to get drunk, others just enjoy the merriment and others just grumble because the fireworks are too loud!! Well we maltese have a unique character! |
| Depending on the age group. Young people go to a place where there are all types of nightclubs, bars, restaurants, cinemas etc. Older people usually prefer a walk along the seafront with other friends and perhaps a dinner at some restaurant. What was your childhood like there? Were there special games children play where you're from?: Childhood was good. Since the island is relatively safe most of the time was spent running around, summer swimming, winter hikes. Special children's games - the normal things, running, bicycling etc. And now computer games etc |
| While we are supposed to have a meditterranean cuisine we actually have all kinds of cuisines in our kitchens. However my favourite traditional dish is the rabbit called "fenek moqli". |
| Recipe for Fenek Moqli Fried Rabbit Serves 4 1 jointed rabbit 1 dessertspoon tomato purée 1 whole head of garlic ¼ pint water Oil for frying Place the tomato purée and the water in a deep pan. Simmer on a slow fire. In the meantime fry the pieces of rabbit a few at a time, together with the peeled garlic. The garlic should not be allowed to turn brown, so add it after the rabbit joints. Fry them for about 10 minutes turning them over once or twice. Put them in the pan containing tomato purée and water and simmer while frying the rest of the rabbit. Correct seasoning, serve hot with plain boiled potatoes or chips. |
| Most people think of Maltese people as pretty friendly people and in most aspects I think they are right. I do not really know how they really perceive us cause most foreigners I speak to are very polite and never say any negative things. However I could think of a couple of negative things!! I like the fact that we have such a rich history. I also like that we are such a tiny island that all in all we are quite ready to help others. We are proof that one cannot see just the size of the country. If you look well there is so much richness beyond the size. |
| Malta by Debbie Mallia |
|
