Attack flies and another wedding

10/18/09
I’ve killed 9 flies today. Nine. I realized yesterday that there were more than a couple in the apartment but couldn’t be sure exactly how many. Last night I tried the “swat” method, going after them with an improvised fly swatter. I got one but no real luck after that. Today I employed a new tactic. I’ve been able to sort of catch them under the drapes or the lace curtain on the French door so I crush them against the glass once I get them there. I killed three and thought that was it but nope…there were more. I’m not exactly sure where they all came from. I mean, I realize I had the doors open for a spell all week but surely 10+ flies wouldn’t really wander into my little studio apartment and want to stay? I’m starting to think there might be another way they are getting in, like a hole in the limestone or under the doors or something. Even after killing 10 of them I still count another three buzzing around here. Now that I’ve got a system worked out, I’m sure I’ll get them too. It’s only a matter of time. In the meantime, I’m going to keep the door to the balcony closed and see how many more appear. Thankfully the weather is cooling anyway so I’m not missing anything, really, in terms of enjoying the balcony for its own sake. Plus, I’ve sat out there just about every day that I’ve been here. I think forgoing a day for this experiment won’t kill me. And it may just aid in my fly attack. (Becca, if you’re reading this, I promise to be fly-free by the time you arrive next week!)

You can’t imagine how creeped out I was to go to bed last night, knowing there were a few of them buzzing around and wondering if they were crawling on me in my sleep. I slept with the sheet over my head, something I would never do normally because it makes me feel like I’m suffocating. I must say, I’m not normally an “ew, bugs!” person but something about the thought of them all descending on me in my sleep created a paranoia and now I won’t rest until they are gone. I think I’ve been watching the X-Files too much. Only 2 discs left in Season 4.

Yesterday I saw another wedding in St. George’s Square. This time the bride chose not to use the red carpet, though she did arrive in the ever popular old white pimped out Ford. Francis, the cab driver who took my friend Chris back to the airport, was at the wheel. The groom and his family stood outside of the church smoking and waiting for her arrival. The woman who gives out the souvenirs was dropped off by a rental Benz 220 and was wearing a dress of pearly purple taffeta. She was followed by a 350 carrying the two bridesmaids in their satin gowns of deep red, the two miniature brides in their white dresses, and (possibly) the brides mother. When the bridal car got close Francis beeped to let them know they were just around the bend and the groom retreated inside. Francis let out the bride and her father and the whole party assembled on the church steps to process in.

There were these 2 children playing on the steps that were annoying the heck out of the two videographers and their parents were nowhere in sight. They were clearly enjoying their game of make believe but it did put a blight on the picture seeing all of those people dressed in their wedding finery and having these 2 kids in every shot in their playground wear. The camera guys kept trying to shoo them away but to no avail and in the end, the kids actually retreated inside of the church.

The drivers of the rental cars stayed outside, having a drink at the café across the way. Francis went inside though, possibly to monitor the progress of the wedding and determine when he would be needed again. While he was inside a couple of tourists happened upon the square and decided to pose with the Ford for some photos. The woman even leaned on the car. There was something almost sacrilegious about the invasion. Prior to their arrival, those in the square who weren’t invited to the wedding were calmly and respectfully standing off to the perimeter of the square, watching the event with great interest and excitement. There were even two locals who climbed to the balcony directly across from the church for a better view. I think they were mother and daughter and both seemed to be anxiously awaiting a glimpse of the bride, with their excitement building as the car approached. After the bride entered the church, they descended and crept slowly through the square and up to the door of the church to cautiously glimpse the happy moment inside without intruding. A few others did as well, straying from the periphery, looking into the church, pointing, remarking to their companions and leaving. But this tourist couple, the bold way they leaned on the pristine white car and posed for photos didn’t sit right with me and I half wished Francis would exit the church just then and ask them to leave. I guess after 6 weeks here, I feel a bit territorial myself.

Tonight there is a baptism, though the woman who carried the baby in looked as if she were dressed up as the mother of the bride. As per the standard for babies and cars in Gozo, she carried the baby in her arms though at least she was in the backseat. I couldn’t help but think it was an odd juxtaposition: you’re bringing a baby to church for a blessing as they start the beginning of their life in the church but you’re going to get to the blessing in a deathtrap of a vehicle.