Maltese Summer Nights

If there is one thing I love to do on a beautiful Maltese summers' night, then it is to stroll by the sea, take time to contemplate and notice all the small things in life. I love watching children playing on the streets or swimming in the sea, taking their last dive before being called to dinner by nanna (Grandma).
In summer, it seems as if the Maltese live in the open. When you walk down Xemxija Bay you'll notice families and friends sitting together just outside their home while the sun is slowly setting. A lot just bring some chairs from inside, sit by the promenade and chat the night away. Somehow this always reminds me of a better world and I might be a bit nostalgic but I guess, these were the things that made me fall in love with the island in the first place and I'm glad that after all these years I'm still able to notice and appreciate it.

One day, my sister, Mark, and I came home from a day trip on the sea and as we stirred our boat inside the little bay, there were children still playing in the water. It was already getting dark and here they were jumping between the boats, cat fighting with each other and having a ball of a time while their families were preparing for the nights barbeque. From my sisters watchfull eyes I could read her thoughts because they were a reflection of mine. For a moment we were only observing, sipping in the atmosphere and admiring this way of life. In front of us was a generation of carefree and fearless children that seemed to be one with the element. It was magical and a world apart from our "big city life" upbringing. I couldn't stop wondering, if only our minds were a bit more freed of all those inhibitions and were just a little like those of the Maltese children... a bit more fearless and carefree in taking that days' last dive.