Air Canada wouldn't issue a boarding pass to me because my flight was one way only. They didn't want to get stuck flying me back home at their expense on the chance that the Maltese authorities refused me entry. So, I was forced to purchase an outward ticket (refundable) to Rome to show proof that I could leave Malta. Upon arrival in Rome, I was cleared through Customs without any questions about my intentions. Upon arrival Malta, I was even checked by the Maltese authorities...so much for the need of proof of outward passage. Looks like Air Canada is making up their own rules again. Been there before. The four bottles of ice wine and jug of maple syrup I had purchased in the Duty Free (secure zone) in Toronto airport as gifts for the monks here (only 4 of thm left) were confiscated by Italian Security because liquids are not permitted on airplanes unless purchased in the EU. How stupid is that?
The shuttle bus from the Malta International Airport to Cirkewwa Harbour was decommissioned in March, so I took the #8 bus to Valetta (30 minutes for 47 cents fare plus 35 cents for my bag), then transfer to the #45 bus to Cirkewwa (60 minutes for 57 cents plus 35 cents for my bag). Round trip ferry ticket from Cirkewwa to Mgarr Harbour costs 4.35 Euro and is good for a year...trip takes 25 minutes. From Mgarr the #25 bus brings you to Victoria (the capital of Gozo) for another 57 cents plus 35 cents for the bag. These are all very old Bedford buses....well maintained and well used by the local population. From Victoria, I made the final leg of 1km to Manresa house on foot. Arrived in every good time for a quick tour of the house with Fr. Anthony (the director) and a shower before supper at the usual hour 8 p.m.
Besides the 4 residents (all about 67 years old), there were about 10 other Maltese Jesuits staying for a few days on their holiday from their usual work schedules in Malta. I am the only layman and foreigner in the House, so I am the source of much conversation for these men, many of whom have rarely left Malta and have never been to Canada. So much for the silence...Fr. Victor, the retreat director, doesn't want to rush me into this...I meet him tonight at 5 p.m to discuss my silence. So, up until now the conversations with these men have been lively and very interesting. I am learning a lot about their work and the general cultural fabric of Malta. Fr. Victor said it was ok to use the computer to send e-mail home, but not to waste my time...I'm not quite sure what he would think of me blogging, so I have to admit to feeling a little bit guilty sneaking on-line to write this up. Living dangerously in a Maltese monastery....there's nothing quite like it. So, just a few quick words to describe my impressions so far...everyone is extremely friendly on the island. The Maltese language has its roots in Arabic and is completely imcomprehensible. I've discovered that "Bonjou" (pronounced bonjoo) is how they greet each other (dates back to the Napoleonic occupation), and everyone on the bus said "Thank you" to the bus driver when he handed them their ticket. The letter "X" is pronounced "Sh"...so, Munxar is pronounced "Munshar" and Xlendi is pronounced "Shlendi". That's all the Maltese I know so far. The people are extremely friendly and are likely to walk with you if you ask directions as I discovered yesterday when I got lost on the way back from Victoria...the roads all look the same and the road signs are not terribly helpful, so don't laugh. The weather has warmed up, but it was quite chilly on Tuesday when I arrived (unusally so, according to the monks). Walked to Xlendi this morning...about 30 minutes each way along the rolling twisting roads. Some pictures attached. Ciao for now. Think Fr. Victor will be starting me into silence tonight, so not sure when I'll be able to blog again. Until then be good!
Ciao for now.
Dan
