Old faces in the same old places

Now this is much better. I'm sitting outside at the Cordina Cafe, just across the street from McDonald's. In fact, I'm still using their internet signal but don't have to relegate myself to going in. And, better still, there are public benches nearby so technically, in future I can just sit at one of those and blog away without buying anything anywhere! Bwa ha ha ha! I'm quickly developing a 2 cappuccino a day habit, as it's the cheapest thing you can get at these places (well, that and a pastizzi but I'm trying to stear clear of making that a habit!) The Cafe is located at the corner of Triq Ir-Repubblicka and the Pjazza President J.F. Kennedy. I like the the convergence of these two streets, especially with the McDonald's and the cafe juxtaposed. What I DON'T like is the constant beeping of a car across the way. This grandma is letting her two grandkids climb all over her while she waits for someone at the mall and they are just going to town on the horn. Over and over and over. I'd definitely rather hear those church bells.

Last night I walked over to the Citadel for the first time since my arrival. The last time I was here I didn't have the opportunity to check it out at night, and I got some decent photos. I had dinner at Cafe Antonin in the Square, right across from the movie theatre. What's playing in Gozo, you might wonder? Well, apparently Bruno, Ice Age 3, HP6, Transformers, and starting this weekend, The Hangover. Not bad. Dinner was good - Ravioli, wine and yes, a cappuccino. I ended up dining next to a man I can only describe as an Italian Hugh Jackman. I was okay with that.

I decided to head to Xlendi today for a swim after lunch at Coffee Break, a favorite stop from last summer where Wim and I had two of the largest cappuccinos you've ever seen. I saw the taxi driver that Vicky spent a lot of time with when we were here last, as well as everyone's favorite waitress who once told me that the cemetery was a quick 10 minute walk from the restaurant. (LIES!!!!!) Waiting for the bus to Xlendi was surreal after having done it just about everyday for 3 weeks straight last time around. Of course, then I was usually taking it home for the night, not for an afternoon of fun. Pulling into the town felt bizarre too, driving past the apartment Trish and I used to huff and puff our way to everyday. The same familiar faces were in all of the shops: Antoinette and the woman who runs the souvenir shop next door, the Englishman with his art gallery, and the scuba instructor I am sure Areyl would have a thing for (he's got a bit of a pirate thing going on with long dreaded hair, tats...you get the picture.) Weird that they would all seem so familiar to me, yet to them I was just another tourist getting off the bus.

I spent the afternoon laying out on the rocks and dipping into the water when I got too hot. Don't worry Lori - I made sure to only jump in when there were other people there in case I needed to be saved from a jellyfish. I brought my ishuffle with me, and was soothed by Otis Redding over the sound of the waves and the varied accents of the other sunbathers. Ahhhh - bliss. This German family was near me and the mother kept holding up her swimsuit wrap and letting it flow in the breeze. I could just hear Wim sitting next to me saying, "We get it lady, you can make your wrap blow. Get over yourself." Ha.

I stopped at one of the take-away stands to get a slushie and when I ordered a large, the girl at the counter said, "you're American, aren't you?" And when I said, "yes, why?" She responded, "because Americans like everything large." Dang girl - call me out! She went on to explain that she has American cousins and that when they come to visit they always complain about European portion sizes. I agreed but said that in my defense, it was a hot day out! She then apologized and said she hoped she didn't sound racist. Interesting. This pic is actually one from last year - I haven't loaded the ones from Xlendi today yet. I finished off my visit with a stop at the Gelateria Granola for a scoop of Tiramisu and spent the next hour reading "The Shadow of the Wind." My Gozo friends will appreciate this: While I was waiting for the bus back, our old pal Joey, the annoying taxi driver, was there trying to pimp out rides. He asked me twice whether I was going to Marsalforn and looked at me like he'd never seen me before the second time. He finally conned a couple into a ride and stopped annoying the rest of us. I can't believe he still does that everyday. That's gotta get real old. Why would I pay 2Euro to go somewhere the bus will take me for .50 when it's only an 8 minute ride?

Not sure what else is "on the agenda" for the rest of the weekend, as my mom used to say. I will, of course, keep ya posted.