"A Simpler Place and Time"

"On that midnight train to Georgia...." This song was playing as I finished writing some postcards at a cafe over the Spinola Bay here in Malta. Every window and balcony is adorned with boxes full of bright flowers, and the bay in filled with colorful boats, reminding me of Venice. The cafe is called Papparazzi, and the menu is full of cutesy sort of names for meals including a "Comfort Zone" for entrees like cheeseburgers. We ate dinner there last night, and I had my very first Nutella pie. I headed back today for a peanut butter and cookie cake afternoon treat. It's the first time I have seen peanut butter mentioned since I've been here, which is saying a lot as I've visited at least 10 grocery stores thus far. I love walking through grocery stores in other countries. It's a fun way to see what they eat, how much it costs, and what is different/the same. It's also a good place to get a cheap meal or produce.


My waiter, an older gentleman, asked me how I liked Malta. I told him how much I enjoyed it, especially that it was always sunny. He replied "striptease." I said "excuse me?" And he said yes "striptease. I am single." I laughed, and he told me to come back if I change my mind. Hmm.

After doing some camera research, I learned that I basically have two viable options. Use disposable cameras and hope the photos turn out alright. These cameras are expensive here, and of course, quality is questionable. Or I could buy an Olympus that is just like mine or very similar, thus enabling me to use the same batteries and memory cards. Purchasing any other digital camera wouldn't work very well as I'd have to buy new memory cards and would have to use a converter back in the US to charge my batteries since it would come with a European type plug. Olympus is hard to find here, but after looking on the internet and making some calls, I found a place. I tried to haggle the price down, but the best I could get was 5% off for paying with cash. Of course, the camera costs $150 more than my mother paid for it on sale in the U.S. But after doing some thinking and chatting with my mom, I decided biting the bullet and buying the digital made the most sense. It stinks to be out almost $400 for a camera, but like my mom said, I'll be glad I have the quality photos and I need a digital camera regardless.



p.s. I am thankful for my mom and her advice....and not having to wear a suit or wash my hair:)