The Classroom and Beyond

Well, we are nearing the end of our first week of classes. I am glad to be adding some routine to my life again. I really have enjoyed most of the classes we have had, and I really do like the professors that we have had so far--although, they are a little difficult to understand sometimes because of the accent. The joys of being an international student...

While we began to acquire information on the history of the Maltese language and religion, we were also given some background on the refugee situation here--which I had heard about before I came, but didn't really understand. More on this later.

We also have been able to celebrate the last few days of their pre-Lent Carnival, or, " il Karnival", as they say it here (As I learned in my language class, this came from "Carne"/"flesh" or "meat" and "vale"/"allowed"--so it is like saying "meat-eating allowed"). Valetta is where Malta has all their festivities during this time. On Sunday we went there in order to catch a glimpse of the floats in the parade, the costumes, and to soak in all the fun that was taking place. Their floats were humongous, and all sorts of bright gaudy colors. Think highlighter--that'll give you a picture. Our language professor told us that some people who make the floats will burn them right before Lent, but will start making them for the next year the day after Lent is over.

It was extremely crowded on the streets--wait, scratch that: it was beyond extremely crowded. We could not move at one point. Now, let me explain one cultural difference about the Maltese people: personal bubbles don't exactly exist like they do in the United States. People will push and elbow and practically knock you over if they want to get past and you are in their way. They think nothing of it. In the United States, this would be a great way to get yourself beat-up. This culture difference made all of us from our group somewhat uncomfortable, and the pushing plus the crowdedness made trying to get to the bus-stop through a narrow street entry-way very difficult.

Other than that, though, it was a whole lot of fun. Just like in Gozo people (young and old) were wearing costumes and dancing in the streets--they even had a few marching bands playing.The celebrating wasn't up yet. Fat Tuesday was just around the corner, and of course that meant...pancakes!! So...ok, it actually meant that a group of us went to a Eucharist service at the cathedral down the street, and we got to eat pancakes with the church-members, afterwards. It was a nice little service--although, very reserved and formal. Who would have thought that the members of the church were actually the complete opposite!? During the pancake feed we met some of the congregation, and they were some of the nicest most welcoming people I've ever met. There was nothing reserved about them at all! Soo much expression in everything they have to say (and most of this in a British accent). I loved it. We had the best time shoveling our mouths full of pancakes and introducing ourselves to the people. In case you are curious about the pancake differences: theirs are more like crepes, and, instead of syrup, they top them with honey and/or "golden spread" (kind of like a jellied honey). Very delicious. I had about 4 or 5.

We actually came back to Valetta on Tuesday for class, so, afterwards, we got to catch some final Karnival celebrations in the streets. It wasn't nearly as crowded, but, we were a little early for the grand finale events that would be starting later. We did, however, get to try a type of traditional cake that our language professor recommended. It was called: "prinjolata" and had a meringue and peanut outer coating on top of cake mixed with dried fruit, chocolate, crème, and who knows what else, underneath. VERY sweet--but I highly recommend (in small portions...went a little overboard I think).

Well, that is where I stop for now. More about the refugee open-center another time...stay "posted"...ahaha...get it? K. I'm out.
Posted by Elise at 1:35 PM