Mozartkugeln, or Mozart Balls.

It seems as if I left out some important, and largely essential details in yesterdays blog entry regarding Viennese and Austrian food. One of the best thing, or THE best thing about Vienna and Austria is the Mozart Balls. Mozart Balls, or locally and historically known as Mozartkugeln, are chocolate coated balls filled with a almond-pistachio marzipan, and chocolate nougat.

One of the many variation's of a Mozart Ball. 

Paul Fürst, the creator of the original Mozartkulgel, invented and created this hugely successful chocolate in Salburg back in 1890, naming after none other than Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Unfortunately, Fürst never thought to protect the name 'Mozartkugel', and after presenting his masterpiece in Paris in 1905, company's were free to make copy's of the Salzburg treat. Today, the original Fürst Mozartkulgel is available exclusively in only 4 specialty shops. 

But don't worry, you can get many other variations (just as amazing) all over Austria. In Vienna, the most prevalent brand that I have seen is Mirabell (Kraft Foods Austria), in the red and gold wrapping. The original Fürst brand is in a blue and silver foil, and much more expensive. I have not yet had the opportunity to sample the originals, however looking at the copies, I don't think I will be disappointed. 

The best so far.

I hope this answers a few questions over my brief mentioning of these chocolate miracles in my last blog entry! And all the more reason to visit Austria in my opinion, spectacular little treats. But watch yourself, they can be dangerous. 

Also mentioned a minor illness, well, as all minor illnesses turn into normal illnesses, I am officially a normal amount of ill. (As you can see by that sentence.. I should head back to bed).

Lots of liquids.. got it. Also thankful for the amazing roommates I have been blessed with, giving me all sorts of strange remedies. Still working up to the sketchy Russian loose leaf tea though.. that may be too much.

More news when my eyes aren't watering! Ciao shannon xx

Glass of the tiny chocolate wonders.. yes, this was a HUGE glass.

Wiener Schnitzel.

What is Austrian food? or even Viennese food? I found myself asking this way too late in the game, when my program counselor and advisor for this exchange began telling me how awful Austrian food was. His words, not mine, described how undesirable traditional Austrian food was, and advised me to eat at the French and Italian restaurants. 
Now, obviously I cannot live in Vienna for 4 months and NOT try some Austrian and Viennese specialties, especially in hosting a blog describing this situation exactly. 

Meh.. would be better without the raisins.. :P

So, to answer my first questions, Austrian food consists of a little bit more than the typical schnitzel or apple strudel. You can find potato salad (served alongside the schnitzel), topfenstrudel (stick to the apple), sachertorte, cheese danish, tafelspitz and Mozart balls, and I am sure a few other boiled meaty things.

Topfenstrudal, or cheese cake strudel, or as I tasted, scrambled egg nastiness. This is as far as I got with this one, thought I was going to be ill. 

Yes, OH-kay, it is not the most desirable and mouth watering list of food you have ever seen, but I would not describe it as horrible. Within the past 2 weeks I have often had the pleasure of sampling many delicious Viennese specialties. However, I have also had the misfortune of slowly chewing a mouthful of what I am convinced was a scrambled egg strudel. (Its was even soggy on the bottom, like store bought pie when you let it thaw in the foil pan.)  YUCK. With this traumatizing event still haunting me at night, I am not yet in the position to make an opinion about Viennese, and Austrian food.


As I am sure many of you know, the most well-known and famous Viennese dish is Wiener Schnitzel (Viennese Schnitzel). Traditionally, a piece of veal cut very thinly,  dipped in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs and then fried in a pan of hot oil until golden brown. Often served with a slice of lemon, that can be squeezed over the meat for added flavour. How could you not love it right? Deep friend meet in breadcrumbs.. its like A&W Chubby Chicken Fingers! 
In Vienna today the dish is almost always done with veal, however other Austrian cities and cities around the world have adapted the recipe and have begun using pork or chicken. These variations are just as readily available today all over the world. 

Obviously a Love.

As for the rest of Viennese food, I have come to realize I either love it or hate it. Unlike the entire country of Italy where I could eat forever and ever.. Vienna is a little less.. desirable. There, I said it. I love schnitzel, hate Topfenstrudal. I LOVE Mozart balls, I hate that they don't have peanut butter. But I guess that is most of Europe.


We'll see, I will not give my final opinion of this strange cuisine yet, it is too early. Who knows, maybe Viennese food will win me over in the next few months. For now, I have another cup of lemon-ginger tea to chug, as I have come down with a slight illness that will be gone by morning. I am optimistic. 


Auf Wiedersan! and Goodnight! shannon xx

Of course, between pastries, trying some local Austrian and Viennese beer is part of the job, this one was excellent!

Balance and Routine.

Slowing down. That was the idea upon my arrival in Vienna, and that has been the case. I am settling in and actually 'living' in a city for a while. Its good, my eating habits need some routine, and vegetables.


At first I was feeling the rush of doing all the tourist sites and trying all the 'Viennese' things one after another. BUT, I quickly realized I have 4 more months, and there is no need to have such an excessive amount of schnitzel in the first week. So, taking things slow, I am letting myself get into a routine of normal foods, and less Italian food. The bread-pasta-pizza days were not agreeing with my pant size. 

Tourist duties with Meghan at Schönbrunn Palace 

Besides stepping away from the excessive eating, I have also slowed down with the fast-paced tourist duties, and moved into school mode. Well, starting to move into school mode, that will take a bit more time. After spending an entire 3 days trying to master BOKU's (Universität für Bodenkultur) online class registration system, I am enrolled in a lengthy list of electives that I will start slowly as the semester moves on. You wouldn't think so, but I am actually very excited for the classes I have chosen. Keeping in mind that I am attending a university specializing in Natural Resources and Life Sciences, I am taking everything from (Eco-) Tourism & Management of Protected Areas and Principles of Winemaking, to the Safety and Quality of Organic Foods. 
Yes- some food classes! Not only to support my blog, but also because they will not let me take these classes back in Guelph. I find them very interesting!


If you are unsure so far, I am attending Vienna's University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, or Universität für Bodenkultur. My buddy (helps me register etc) just told me that translated, this means I am going to the School of Ground. Ground, as in dirt or soil. Strange.


Other than school duties in the last week or so, I have had the privilege to meet up with some fellow LA-er's and Guelph students who are also studying here, and even who are studying elsewhere and visiting. (Shout out to Paris! :P) Always nice to see a familiar face in my days out here. And makes it much easier when trying to sort of a new metro system.

Meghan, visiting from Paris! Myself and Michelle, both studying here in Vienna :)

Mapping out a route.. 

A quick run-down of the metro systems I have been forced into from early mornings to late nights with no sleep and 40lbs strapped to my back.

Metro systems:


Paris = confusing for no reason. Could also have to do with that it was my first city, but there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason in this at all, it is just crazy and unorganized.
Madrid = Like I once mentioned before, second largest metro system in Europe and it is absolutely fantastic. So organized, clean and easy to use. All essentials in my books. 
Barcelona = Easy to use. Spanish was easy to catch on to and the metro could take you everywhere with minimal walking. Besides hiking up to Parc Guell, but that was expected.
Florence = You can walk. Its small. I don't even know if there is a metro system?
Vienna = Ahh the U-bahn. Best metro and best public transportation all around that I have used so far. However, not very well regulated, in my opinion. This may have to do with that I have been forced to use it everyday since my arrival, but I think it is the greatest thing.


In conclusion, Vienna is the best thus far. Thank goodness for that, with me living here and all. My first steps in Vienna were tripping off a night train from Rome, on maybe 1 hour of sleep, at 9 in the morning. With a one-track mind, I was focussed on getting my keys, and getting to my new home for the next 4 months. 
Unfortunately, picking up my keys involved trekking across the city to the housing office, and trekking way BACK across the city to my residence building. Not really the best situation on no sleep, and while dragging a soaking wet bag (Thanks easyJet). However, given the previous days unfortunate events, Vienna did nothing but support me with a fantastic metro system, making my first ride through the city an easy one.


Now you all must be curious about what my 'normal' and 'routine' food is? I am sure some of you instantly thought toast, cheese and yogurt. Not some.. probably a lot of you, and you are not completely wrong, but not completely right either.  Yes- I have returned to some previous habits of toast, cheese and yogurt, but with a growing appreciation for food, I am trying to balance. 'Trying' is the key word here. 


Summed up, I have replaced toast for breakfast every single morning with a dried fruit muesli combo, with which I have some form of fresh fruit and yogurt, as well as tea. (NOT coffee!!) Big step right there.
As for lunches, I still eat toast, with the occasional dollop of Nutella, but I have also been eating boiled eggs, carrots and other fresh fruits and vegetables.. impressed or what?
Dinner, well I am still working with dinner.. but I can honestly say that I have been cooking, and decent meals at that. Only had pasta twice in the last 10 days. :P Trying to lay off that stuff!


Some of my breakfasts! A little less exciting than the pizza's I know... 

There is muesli underneath!

For those of you at home, and any roommates or good friends of mine, well you know the way I eat. This is an improvement! It is not rare lately that I have a day without coffee, as opposed to the minimum two cups a day I was pulling back in Guelph. 
I am happy to say that through this blog, I am starting to see results. They may be small changes, but I am seeing them. Learning a whole new take on food, I even found myself browsing the 'cookbook' section at the international bookstore. THAT is a change.


Don't go thinking now that I have only had muesli and fruit since my arrival, I will come back next time to tell you ALL about some fantastic (and some not so fantastic) Viennese dishes. They just aren't like Italian meals that you want to inhale.. but you will see. :P


Ciao! From the comforts of a 'flat',
shannon xx

Please Sit Down. Pt.2

Well, THAT ferry ride took a little longer then anticipated. (We'll blame that one on a few  spectacularly sunny days in Vienna.)


Sorry for such a long ride, but we finally made it! Welcome to Gozo! A sleepy island full of sunshine and rocky hills. Hope you had a somewhat enjoyable ferry ride over from Malta, not too cold from those powerful winds either! 


Now, as they say in Maltese, Merhba! or Welcome! to the north island of Gozo. Here is where we will start the second half of our tour through the two main islands of Malta. 


But, before we begin, I would like to give a quick shout-out to all my fellow LA'ers! Remember way back before any of us had decided what exactly we were going to be doing this semester? Way before we applied, or even knew if we even wanted to do an exchange, an internship, or stay in Guelph, there were so many options! For myself there wasn't much thinking at this point. I knew that for me, exchange was the only option. And maybe that is why this sticks in my head. Does anyone else remember when our program counselor Nate said specifically that he would not allow any of us to study in Malta? 

View from Gozo looking towards Malta

I guess I kind of understood why when he told us then, but now that I have been there (am here, giving you this tour :P), I fully understand. He figured we would all sit on the beach the whole semester. While this is not completely true, it is about 85% true for me. While there are amazing things to see here, once you see them.. well, you go to the beach. And that is exactly what I did. 
So, pretty much re-phrasing what Nate told us over a year ago, Malta is a place to visit, not study. I agree. 


Also, for those of you not in LA, this tour is skipping the hours on the beach, and taking you directly to the sights, showing you what fantastic history Malta has, as well as all the amazing areas of natural beauty and spectacular views. Unfortunately all I can share from hours on the beach is a few good book titles, and a great tan.


Okay- back to Gozo. For me, I did not even know that Gozo existed until I got there, BUT it is there, its the smaller, quieter, greener version of the main island Malta. So small, only about 67 square kilometers, compared to Malta's 316. And just to put your head around it, Canada is 9 984 670 square kilometers. Crazy eh?

no thanks. 

Our first stop this afternoon is at the Calypso Cave, the site of Gozo's arguably most famous legend originates. As you can see and read in your tour handouts, this was said to be the sight where the daughter of Atlas, Calypso, had entertained Odysseus for seven years until Hermes, the messenger of the gods, was sent by Zeus to have Odysseus released. Here we will stop the bus for ten minutes for anyone who is interested in taking pictures. However, you are also able to hop off the bus here and hop back on another bus at the scheduled times. Guests are also permitted to enter the cave through an ancient staircase that can be found on the tiny peak at the edge of the cliff. Inside the cave you will see rocks and scaffolding to help keep it together. I myself understand if you just let the eager hiker-man look, and tell you about it when you come up. Calypso's Cave is also very famous for the excellent views toward the south.

View from on top of Calypso's Cave

Is everyone out of the cave? We do not want to leave anyone behind here, you probably won't find your way back. 


Up next we will come to one of the most photographed sights in Gozo, the Azure Window at Dwejra. We hope that everyone is ready for an unexpected hike, as Dwejra is a must-see, and the bus cannot go down here because of ongoing construction, to what looks like a resort (couldn't tell for sure).


As mentioned at every stop we take, upon arrival you will be able to 'hop off' the bus, and hop back on another of our company's buses at our scheduled times. Of all the many hop off locations, we recommend Dwejra. Although the town is small and very quiet, the natural wonders of this west coast peak are some of the finest in the Mediterranean. 


I will join this group of people 'hopping off' the bus, in order to show the way, and also describe some of the natural features within the park. Unfortunately my first time touring down towards the water I did not have a guide, and was unsure what I was getting into! I hope having myself along to show you the way will be beneficial to your experience. 

Watch out for the giant Yucca's! They Bite!

So making our way through the construction zone down this gravely road towards the general direction of the water, I advise you to just keep walking, it is coming. Watch for dump trucks that will come quickly around the corners, also, keep in mind they drive on the left side of the road here. This combination could be fatal. 

Coming out of the hills, you will start to see the shoreline emerge, and the huge battered cliffs over the water. This area is extremely well known and famous for scuba diving and snorkeling as well as some incredible hiking trails along the edge of the cliff line. 

View towards Fungus Rock

Once at the shoreline, you have free reign over this area. Welcome to clime right the edge, or sit back on a perch to take in the beauty that is Malta and Gozo. To the left you will see Fungus rock, that gets its name from a rare plant called Cynomorium coccineum, that grows wildly on here. In your guidebooks you will read that historically, the King prized this 'fungus' and that if anyone was caught stealing it, they would be sentenced to 3 years in the galleys (big medieval ships used for war and trading in the Mediterranean). Even today the rock remains out of bounds. 

At the right, you will catch sight of the most famous rock formation at Dwejra, The Azure Window. The window is a huge arch of rock that pierces out into the water, creating a window-like phenomenon framing the massive cliff faces in the backdrop. Visitors are able to climb right up next to it to challenge the best view through it. The arch is nearly 100m high and offers some spectacular views. 

Of course, the famous Azure Window.

Please take a few minutes to relax and enjoy the sun before we hike 30 minutes back up the hill to catch the bus to our next destination. Take in the sights...

Back on the bus! We must keep a schedule, so if everybody could be swift it would be greatly appreciated, Grazzi!
On the road again, we will drive to our next stop which will be a small fishing village known as Xlendi. While it is still a quiet fishing village today, many small resorts, hotels and restaurants have popped up that help make this small town a popular tourist area. Squeezed between two huge cliffs and back in a small harbour, Xlendi is a quaint, beautiful stop on our tour where there are many delicious restaurants that offer stunning views of the sea. You are able to hop off at this location, and another of this tour company's buses will arrive according to the scheduled times, shown in your handout.

Driving down to Xlendi

From Xlendi we will now take a tour through some of the rural and agricultural areas of Gozo. This little tour will give you a good sense of agricultural systems in Gozo, much different from those in Canada. Farming, next to fishing are the main sources of income for the locals in Gozo.
Compared to Canada, where the fields are very large and square, Gozo has many fields but all tiny and awkward in shape. You will notice countless terraces that have been created over time on the hillsides. This is done to create a greater surface area for the farmers to grow crops, often tomatoes.

Kind of a picture of terraces, however no farming taking place here, and I could not get a good picture where there was actually agricultural activity taking place.. but trust me! :P

Unfortunately, as we are coming to the end of our tour, I will have to sum up our day(s) together here in Malta. As I close we are coming back over the mountains and down the hillside towards the water where you will recognize Gozo's main harbour Mgarr. As well, if you look to your right, you will see the exquisite chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes at the top of Mgarr. 

Now, I want to thank every person on this bus very much for the wonderful day touring the spectacularly beautiful islands of Malta and Gozo. It has been a pleasure seeing the islands with you, and we hope that you enjoyed your tour with Shannon's Malta and Gozo sightseeing package tour! On your way exiting the bus, please take a coupon that entitles you to the free '2 Harbours Cruise' as described at the beginning of the tour. 

Please watch your step as you exit the bus. Tips will also be expected at the door. Thank you again, and have a pleasant evening. 

...

See you again in Vienna! shannon xx

Please Remain Seated While Bus is in Motion.

In order to fully express my experience of the last few days spent within the stunning islands of Malta & Gozo, I will be taking you on a bus tour today. This is a hop on/hop off system, where at each stop you have the option to "hop off" the bus. When you hop off the bus at any site, you can then hop back on another bus at the same point, at this tour company's scheduled times.

This double decker bus is designed to fully maximize your experience in Malta and Gozo by throwing you on top, no roof, and driving you up steep mountains, through tiny alleyways, and along roaring Mediterranean shorelines. We want you to see the island from the front seat, you will never want to leave.
Now to get this thing rolling, please first plug in your complimentary headphones, and select your language.

Please select your language.

Welcome to.. Shannon's Malta and Gozo sightseeing tour! Today I will be taking you across the islands of Malta and Gozo, first starting on the main island of Malta, and finishing our day on the north island of Gozo. Also, in purchasing the ticket for our whirlwind bus tour of Malta and Gozo, we are giving every ticket holder a complimentary '2 Harbours Cruise' ticket. For free, we will take you on a tour of the Grand Harbour, as well as the Marsamxett Harbour in one of our brightly coloured boats with an energetic host and driver. This is an opportunity you will not want to miss. For scheduled time please see me after the conclusion of today's tour. 
Please remain seated while the bus is in motion, and keep arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask myself or our driver, Marco, when the vehicle is stopped at any one of our hop on/hop off stations. Please fasten your seatbelt, as we will now begin our journey into the breathtaking views of these tiny islands.


For todays tour we are starting in the two small cities of Sliema and St. Julian's. These two cities are very similar; full of life, hotels, bars and restaurants. As well as many tourists filling the streets throughout the warmer summer months.  Malta explodes with tourists and visitors in the summer, and these cities are packed with luxury hotels and resorts, as well as a huge selection for fine dining.

The Triq It-Torri in Sliema will be our first hop on/hop off stop in todays tour. Here, you can explore the harbours and take a walk along the seafront. The Triq It-Torri (Tower Rd) is famous in Sliema for couples and families, who often take their evening walk here. Tower Road is the most famous section, but the walk stretches along the entire length of Sliema and St. Julian's seafront. Another tour bus will arrive at the scheduled arrival time where you will be able to 'hop on' the bus and continue your tour.

View from Sliema to St. Julian's

In St, Julian's you will also be able to explore, and take a seat while taking in the beauty that is Spinola Bay. A massive patio of concrete, it is at first overwhelming and extremely hot in the beating sun. But, take a wander through down to the end, grab a seat on one of the many benches, and take in the fresh sea breeze and dozens of brightly painted fishing boats. Just don't doze off with a book on your lap, you will feel the burn on your cheeks (face cheeks) by dinner. I speak from experience. 



Continuing on our tour, we will now take a stop at the capital city of Malta, Valletta. A fortress city, Valletta is a narrow promontory, with large natural harbours on either side. This is a great city, it is flooding with Malta's history and looks as if it has not changed since it was built in the late 1500's. The main street we enter the city on is Triq Ir-Republika, or Republic Street, and from this street, there is a well organized grid of smaller streets leading away and down towards the water at slopes that would never pass any Canadian standards. Sidewalks that line these small streets are transformed into stairs, so that people can actually walk them. If you choose this silent city as a "hop off" spot, expect a work out! 

View from the Upper Barracca Gardens

There are many things to see in Valletta, including St. John's Co-Cathedral, the National Museum of Archeology, the National Museum of Fine Arts or the Upper Barracca Gardens, where you will find a stunning view of the Grand Harbour. 
If you are worried about time, and are interested in seeing the city as well as the museums and gardens, do not worry. Both the Museum of Archeology and Fine Arts are extremely small, and can be done in less than an afternoon.
Key features of the National Museum of Archeology, a must in everyones Malta itinerary, are the famous 'Sleeping Lady' and the 'Venus of Malta', two small very significant sculptures dating back 7000 years. You will also find dozens of very similar, less famous sculptures here too. 

Venus of Malta

Some things you may be thinking of while walking through this history packed museum:
-Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, when Blake Lively (long blond hair) goes abroad to study some form of archeology, and find pots.
-"What is a living rock?", in learning historical farming strategies.
-"This stuff is OLD.", the oldest freestanding structures in the world, 5200 BC.
-"They sure do assume a lot.", on reading the uses of massive stones and the story behind tiny sculptures.
-"Neat.", to a case of bone hairpins.
-"HA!", to a case of 'probably phallic' sculptures. 


But these are just some examples. I am sure you will have a vast library of your own thoughts when going through this museum. It is full of information and definitely gives a great overview of Malta's extensive history. 


Valletta is a wonderful city to visit during the day, but shuts down after dark. You now have the option to hop off the bus, and re-join the tour by hopping on another bus at this tour company's scheduled times.

Part of Mnajdra, a 'Calender in Stone'

Continuing on, we will now make our way down to the West side of the island to the Blue Grotto and the Ħaģar Qim and Mnajdra Temples. 


Said to be some 7000 years old, it is hard to understand how such magnificent structures made of such enormous stones were created, and how they have lasted this long. Through endless studying it is shown how complex these temples are, with astronomical alignments and carefully placed stones were organized and set to the finest of details. 

The temples are located on the west coast of the island, set on a cliff-top, they are among rocky fields of wildflowers. 
Here you are now have the option to hop off the bus, and explore the temples and the surrounding fields. Take a picnic at the edge of cliff, with a view of nothing but the sea below. 

View from Ħaģar Qim towards Mnajdra (under the white dome). 

From here, you are able to wait for another bus, or walk down towards the Blue Grotto, where you can also hop back on one of our company's tour busses. 

The Blue Grotto is a natural feature of the landscape located within a small fishing town known as Wied iz-Zurrieq. The Blue Grotto is a huge natural arch in the cliffs, and gets its name from the sparkling water beneath. It was said that mermaids were believed to live here. 

Some of you may be familiar with the Blue Grotto from international headlines back in 1987. This small fishing village made news when a local fisherman pulled up a gigantic great white shark. Claiming the shark was 7m or 23ft long, locals were amazed. This length was to make it one of the largest great whites ever discovered. Unfortunately, for the tiny town of Wied iz-Zurrieq, after scientists did their tests, the size of the shark was revealed to be only 5.5m or 17-18ft in length, no bigger than any other great white found in the Mediterranean (Eyewitness Travel, 2009).

Moving away from the old stuff and local fisherman towns, let's head up north to the island of Gozo. In order to get to the island, we must all 'hop off' the bus, and 'hop on' the big ferry. The ferry will take us all over to Gozo, where we will then hop on another bus to continue our journey through Malta's extensive history and stunning landscapes. 

Please now take a break, sip a complimentary cappuccino in the cafeteria, while we ride across the sea to new adventures ahead. 

Also excuse me, your host, while I also take a break, sip a cappuccino and crawl into bed. Please join me again in the morning, after your quick ferry ride and we will continue our fantastic explorations into the flickering blue waters of Gozo. 

Auf Wiedersehen! shannon xx

Sources

Gallagher, Mary-Ann. Eyewitness Travel Top 10 Malta & Gozo. New York: DK Pub., 2009.

Safe in Wien, more posts to come!

Hello readers! First off, thank you for reading. Secondly, sorry for my absence in the last week. Many countries in only a few days and only half a blog post finished. I have it rolling but it is not quite ready for the internet, very soon! 


Unfortunately being in Vienna, my home for the next 4 months, I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Trying to get things organized for the start of school, like registering with Austria, with the school, and then with the Centre for International Relations is taking more time then anticipated. 


But, after the next few days I will hopefully have developed some form of routine, and my blogging will once again become a regular occurrence. 


Keep checking, I will have something extra delicious up soon!
shannon xx 

Wien! Thats me!

Ou wee! Kaffee Melange in Wien.

Malta, colder than Rome.

Well, here I am in Malta, one of a group of islands just south of Sicily. Which I learned today, in my walk through the National Archeology Museum, used to be attached to Sicily. Hmm.


(Also, I have no camera, so I have resorted to borrowing a few photos from Google, as well as my webcam to keep things interesting.)


SO. I still have no bag! Its a blue-green (mostly green) and black, with a Canada tag hanging on the front, two zip up pockets on the front... Anyone seen it? If so, please send it to me. I am starting to wear out my socks.
For all I know right now, it could be in Malta, it could be still in Rome, OR.. it could be on any one of the flights that left the Roma Fiumicino Airport in the past 5-6 days. This is all I got after calling Baggage Services twice daily since Wednesday. 

Flag!

Stressful baggage issues set aside, Malta is a beautiful country. There is so much history on this tiny island its incredible. I mean, this is the home to the 7000 year old Ħaģar Qim and Mnajdra Temples, the oldest free-standing structures in the world. It has what seems like an endless list of people who have at one time or another ruled the land, from Romans to Greeks to the French to Sicilians and so on. Eventually, they released themselves from the UK, and in 1974 became a Republic. Malta has also been a part of the EU since 2004. Woo Malta! 

Street signs here are the best, so detailed and pretty... but best of all, English and Maltese.

Every city has a 'feel' to it. Some cities are free and artsy, while some can be cold and grungy. I usually take a couple days to decide what a city is to me, it all depends on my mood and the weather those days too. As for Malta, (the country and many tiny cities in it) I am still undecided. It is definitely a tourist destination, it is off-season and that is easy to see, and it is definitely a European country. But that is where I get stuck, because even though it is so much a  'European' country to me, I still get the feeling every now and then I am somewhere in the Caribbean. I am stuck between this strange England in the Caribbean setting feeling where I don't know what way to lean. They drive like maniacs, on the left side of the road, and use UK power outlets. Thank goodness I have an adapter for every country in one! I can see English people (from the UK) loving it here. Its like home but not rainy or cold, instead hot and sunny.. I might have to get back to this point. I am still stuck.

Like I said, they drive like maniacs. These signs are on way too many corners. 

As for food, the Maltese eat well. Fish, of course, I mean.. where else are they going to find a good, consistent supply of food? They are known for their bread (for good reasons), Qubbajt (nougat almondy goodness), Patizzi & Qassatat, as well as Torta Tal-lampuki. 

To start, of course the bread is AMAZING. As a bread person, I can honestly say that I have had some of this excellent Maltese bread every morning for breakfast since my arrival last Wednesday. They know how to make bread. It is especially good lightly toasted with a smidgen of butter and honey drizzled all over. Oh yummy, I will also be having this for breakfast tomorrow.

Qubbajt is a kind of candy or sweet I guess. It is pretty much a bar of nougat with almonds or peanuts and honey. I have only tried the vanilla so far, but I do have big intentions of trying more. It is so delicious. It is like eating only the middle nougat part of an Oh Henry bar, except nuts inside. Has anyone seen this stuff back home? I will be stocking up...

Now the things I have yet to try, are Patizzi, Qassatat and Torta tal-lamuki. (I will be very honest here, I may.. or will probably be skipping the Torta Tal-lampuki.) Patizzi and qassatat are pretty much the same, they are fluffy pastries filled with either ricotta cheese or a pea mixture. I guess the only difference is that the qassatat is a lighter pastry and it is round, the patizzi is a diamond. I feel like these are amazing and I haven't even tried them yet. Pastries of cheese? AH. Can't believe I haven't found these yet.

As for this mysterious Torta Tal-lampuki... Fish pie. Made with the prized local fish known as Lampuki. Luckily, for me, Lampuki is only available for a short period each year.. and not the period that I am here! :) I guess it is quite the delicacy for locals, a pie with this fish, vegetables, walnuts, olives and raisins. Oh yummy yummy. Better come back from September to November to get some Torta Tal-lampuki! 


Looks like I have some more things to eat, and see, of course! And airports to call...
Until we meet again, Ciao! shannon xx