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07 January 2008
We've been having beautiful weather here in Malta. Funny, because I was all prepared for rain and cool windy weather. But it's been sunny and warm everyday. Right now, I am sitting in front of our front windows. I'll attach photos of the view. The campus of the University of Valletta is on my left and a busy street beyond some rather interesting gardens, and more to the center right are two soccer/futbol fields and beyond them, the white roof of the National Pool Complex. Many houses in the distance cover a hillside, blocking my view to the water. (Boo)...But I can walk across the main highway (underneath it is a tunnel for pedestrians) up the hill to the campus and from there I can see the ocean. It's so very hard to believe we're living on an island in the middle of the deep blue sea!! I'm still pinching myself. I imagine if we could actually see the water from here, it would be easier to believe. The fact that there are 400,000 people becomes a reality when you step outside, and walk along the streets. 250,000 cars zoom around this little island, so the stink of exhaust is strong. You can get away from it, when near the water, and up on the hills. There are many stray cats about. People have taken to helping them by placing saucers on the ledge of their patios. In the park, there are blankets laid out under a small shelter for 4-6 cats. Out our window, we can always find a few roaming around the sidewalks. We also have goats and chickens in a pen next to the futbol fields, and there are sheep that are let out to eat the grass on the hills next to the small parking lot across the street. Today, Dave takes off for his first day of work at MCAST (Malta College of Art, Science, and Technology). We're praying he'll find it a good place to serve as a faculty consultant. The original posting of the Fulbright proposed a teaching assignment, but that is apparently not how they wish to use his skills. Further, they did not communicate the correct schedule to him, and so our flights were set up so that we leave two weeks before the term ends, so he will be used to in service the faculty on his areas of expertise and consult with them on curriculum development matters. Rachel and DeDe took a walk to the nearest larger grocery around noon. Bobby was asleep and Isabelle and the boys watched a video. The prices are very high here. We're finding ourselves pinching our euro cents and our meals are quite light compared to what we're accustomed to at home. When Rachel and DeDe returned we made a “big” lunch of ramen noodles, (some ate leftover pasta from last night) and very good fresh bread, (some ate the interesting saltine crackers we found). We started another movie on the laptop because we're all still adjusting to the schedule and the walking has really worn us out. We also weren't sure if we'd see the cable/internet guy today, so we feared leaving for any amount of time. We watched “Mathilda.” When Dave got home from his first day of work, he briefed DeDe on his day, and then took the boys down to the track to run and play a bit, while DeDe and Isabelle prepared supper. While supper was cooking, DeDe, Isabelle and Rachel played a quick game of cards (Spite and Malice). DeDe won, twice. :) Dave feels a little disappointed about the situation at MCAST. He would prefer teaching over some of the mundane tasks (curriculum review work) they have planned for him. I think they'll appreciate his faculty lectures, and he may feel better once he gets to know more of the faculty. Send us an email about this post! dgibbs at uwsp dot edu or dedegibbs at gmail dot com |
