Thursday, May 24, 2007

"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:)

9 comments:

Clearlykels said...

I am so jealous of vacation food. ALso, I think the digitel camera was the way to go. YOu are going to be much happier to have those pictures and know that you have them.

anne said...

I am thankful for the pictures that I can the beauty of the stories you tell. And I am jealous of your non-washed hair! Sick I know but I sooooooo get it.

ella said...

Yay for photos! You look so relaxed.

Aaron said...

striptease? Did this play out like a scene in Borat or what? :P

megabrooke said...

love your pictures! (that one reminds me of your NYC one that time!)

Ally said...

Brookem: That's what it reminded me of too--not sure why the LOVE is upside down here.

Aaron: I finally saw Borat the other night! And no Borat scenes for me:)

Deadmanshonda said...

Very fun photos. So happy to see them. That old dude? EWWwww....

The Egg said...

Stiptease?! Nice photos. Happy travelling!

B said...

OMG !! I am maltese, my whole family is there, BEAUTIFUL place! I use to go every year I hope to go this summer it's been awhile.

don't forget to try the cheese cake ( ricotta pastry more of a meal than a dessert) it's good!

AWW is wish I was their swimming:)