02 January 2008             

Post #1: Ashore on Malta       

Wow!  We are living in Malta!  Still pinching ourselves, it is so amazing to us that we are actually, finally here. 

The experience with six children and vans, planes and automobiles went extremely well.  Our only mishaps include: 

Escalating Stress with the Escalator

David (4) having never stepped on an escalator before, but always willing to follow his big brothers and sister, found himself falling, which resulted in Dave, who was pushing Nathan in a stroller, reaching to get David as he fell, hence, the stroller wheels catching the lower step, resulting in a stroller being inadvertently escalated, Dave reaching to rescue Nathan as the stroller tipped over backward, and in my memory (as I looked on from the top) I see David on his knees, escalating, Dave at the bottom, with a stroller hanging upside down in his hand, and Nathan hanging from it with arms dangling, and a screech coming from his mouth

Hot Tea Bath

DeDe decided to enjoy a hot cup of tea on the final leg of our flights, only to have Rachel ask her a question.  As she was looking at Rachel, baby Bobby reached for the tea cup which was on Nathan's tray table (he was blissfully napping) ...Bobby screeched because of the shockingly hot substance he'd discovered, DeDe screeched because of the hot bath she promptly and unexpectedly received.  Her right leg soaked in hot tea, and a wee bit landed on Nate's leg, but he only shifted his position and snored on.  

No injuries incurred by either mishap, so all in all, we managed amazingly well.  The security checks were what Dave and DeDe most feared, but the kids all did beautifully with them.  They stripped off sweatshirts and shoes, put their backpacks on the conveyer, listened to the instructions well, and got dressed again promptly, hardly slowing the folks behind us down at all.  The security people were very helpful and considerate of our needs, so that helped, too.

We arrived in Malta, found Isabelle waiting in the airport cafe area, met with our driver, Deaus (pronounced Da-O---short for Amadeaus...nice guy. He shared his full name after I shared that DeDe was a nickname for Diane.)  As I'd read about in the Air Malta flight magazine, the experience in the van traveling to the apartment was as expected.  Cars zip in and out with no warning, and one just fends for themselves.  The kids were surprised there were no seatbelts in the van either.  As we drove along, and took in the sights, that pinch-me, I think I am dreaming thing started...it hasn't really left us yet.

Our apologies for not getting an email out sooner.  We arrived on somewhat of a holiday, so we didn't expect we could bother the apartment manager right away.  We also spent the first day adjusting to our new flat, and our time schedule. 

When I first put the key in the door of apartment 8, and opened it, I was completely confused...I entered the middle of a long, long hallway.  There was a closet dead ahead, and a shelf unit outside of the closet, in a sort of alcove.  But as I explored the hallway, I found two bedrooms with two twin beds in each, two bathrooms, one with washer/dryer and shower/tub unit as well as toilet, sink.  On the south end was a "master bedroom with patio"...a king bed, a small twin/cot bed, a bed for baby (a very long version of our own "Pack n' Play") a large armoire covering one wall, and a nice bureau with mirror.

33 paces back up the hallway to the north I found a comfortable living space, about 15 feet by 25 feet, it includes a small kitchen alcove, a dining table, fridge and pantry shelving unit, and a livingroom space with couch, coffee table, and two large chairs and a big tv.  Opening the curtains, I found a view of a residential hillside of clay homes, all stacked up, and in my immediate foreground, two soccer fields and a triangular shaped garden area.  Beyond the soccer fields is a large building (I'm now informed, it is the "National Pool--open to public) and next to that, an outdoor track.  (Okay, Becky, Kari---that's it...you need to get ready for a half marathon in May!!)

Our first frustration came with the tub...I have no stopper, so giving baths required some creativity.  We managed, but a stopper is on our list of immediate needs.  There were a few supplies placed in the fridge by the lady who is coordinating our stay.  The cheese was a bit odd, so Isabelle's attempt at grilled cheese didn't go over too well, there were about 4 slices of turkey for a sandwich, so that kept some happy...and with our late lunch on the last plane, we were okay with a light supper. 

Today, we slept in a bit -- I was up at 4:30 a.m. local time (9:30 p.m. CT) with the babe, and Ian and Addison joined me shortly after that.  They sat and worked in their activity books I bought for on the planes, and I read to them the story of Paul's Shipwreck on Malta (Acts 27 and 28).  Very interestingly, Paul spent as much time as we will have here...three months!  Hmmm...imagine we could have the impact he has had on the place?  Ha!

Rachel joined us around 5 a.m. and at 5:30, we all went back to bed in the boys' room.  I pushed the two beds together in their room, so that three boys could sleep there, and so we all cuddled together as the place is just a little cool. 

Each room has a plug-in radiator, and we run them just before bed, but we turn them off once we're tucked in.  There are plenty of warm blankets, so it's just when you move about at night that it's cold.  Except for the area rug in the livingroom, the floor is all that old-fashioned marble tile like you find in the big church buildings. 

Send us an email about this post!  dgibbs at uwsp dot edu  or  dedegibbs at gmail dot com