9/25/09
Today was again another breathtakingly beautiful day, despite the supposed rain storm that was supposed to last all day. We took the 12:15 bus to Marsalforn, a beach/tourist destination just down the road from Ramla Bay. The hotels and tourists lets were a contrast to the vacant beauty of Ramla but still beautiful in a “Mediterranean” type way nonetheless. We got our first cappuccino of the day at a local place overlooking the bay. We spent the day on the beach, swimming and playing in the surf (Wim took particular delight in coaxing the waves to come and get us). An afternoon snack (ham and cheese toast & crisps) at a local place around 4pm and then gelato on a bench at the bay and it was time to head back to the bus.
We got the bus at about 5:50 and as we got off, Wim noticed that the churchbells were playing the same sort of tone they had played this morning. As we rounded the corner to Independence square sure enough – it was a bloody funeral procession from the church to the cemetery! I could’ve died I was so disappointed in myself for not having checked into it before we left for the beach. It was a small procession – only 3 cars and all of the mourners in black. The hearse was a sleek new car and the shades in the back were open so you could see the coffin which was surrounded in white lilies. We think the bells might be a special tone for funerals. And the timing is in keeping with what George told me – funeral services at 5pm in the summer and 3 pm in the winter. I’m so bummed out right now it’s unbelievable. Grrr.
There’s supposed to be a parade now for Independence Day so I think we will try to catch it…
(Later that same night….)
Ha! We went to dinner at It-Tokk and there was no such parade. We were there from approximately 7:15 until 9:30 and we saw nothing. We even stretched dinner a bit because the advertisement we saw for it was written in Maltese and we couldn’t tell if it said it was starting in Independence square or finishing there. Ugh. The best part of dinner (for me) was the “special” coffee I had – some sort of caramel latte. Yum. Afterward we watched “Just Friends” at home and I was happy that Wim liked Ana Faris in that movie as much as I do.
Today was again another breathtakingly beautiful day, despite the supposed rain storm that was supposed to last all day. We took the 12:15 bus to Marsalforn, a beach/tourist destination just down the road from Ramla Bay. The hotels and tourists lets were a contrast to the vacant beauty of Ramla but still beautiful in a “Mediterranean” type way nonetheless. We got our first cappuccino of the day at a local place overlooking the bay. We spent the day on the beach, swimming and playing in the surf (Wim took particular delight in coaxing the waves to come and get us). An afternoon snack (ham and cheese toast & crisps) at a local place around 4pm and then gelato on a bench at the bay and it was time to head back to the bus.
We got the bus at about 5:50 and as we got off, Wim noticed that the churchbells were playing the same sort of tone they had played this morning. As we rounded the corner to Independence square sure enough – it was a bloody funeral procession from the church to the cemetery! I could’ve died I was so disappointed in myself for not having checked into it before we left for the beach. It was a small procession – only 3 cars and all of the mourners in black. The hearse was a sleek new car and the shades in the back were open so you could see the coffin which was surrounded in white lilies. We think the bells might be a special tone for funerals. And the timing is in keeping with what George told me – funeral services at 5pm in the summer and 3 pm in the winter. I’m so bummed out right now it’s unbelievable. Grrr.
There’s supposed to be a parade now for Independence Day so I think we will try to catch it…
(Later that same night….)
Ha! We went to dinner at It-Tokk and there was no such parade. We were there from approximately 7:15 until 9:30 and we saw nothing. We even stretched dinner a bit because the advertisement we saw for it was written in Maltese and we couldn’t tell if it said it was starting in Independence square or finishing there. Ugh. The best part of dinner (for me) was the “special” coffee I had – some sort of caramel latte. Yum. Afterward we watched “Just Friends” at home and I was happy that Wim liked Ana Faris in that movie as much as I do.
Sorry you missed the funeral. But it sounds like you and Wim had a great time!
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