Oh my what a sight you brought to my mind – hell’s angels ! – (replying now as just getting round to how Disqus works).

Last Saturday I was in such a square observing the differences between Malta and there:

The square was large, generous and graceful: no gaudy signs posted anywhere;

One time in America I had searched all afternoon for non-obese people: that search resulted in just three people. Automatically now, I observe the ratio but was hard pressed: there was only one obese person all afternoon that came into my line of vision;

There was a walk through garden installation set up by a 16 year old who had participated in and won a local competition to do so: it was a sensual delight;

Just opposite that there was an area aesthetically laid out with sand and deckchairs; empty frames to act as “beach photo ops” and a full book case made available (no locks at all) to anyone who chose to sit there and read;

The various cafés around the square were full, as were the shops;

It was so pleasant that I spent much of my afternoon there. There was no shouting, there were no raised voices. There was discussion and the hum of civilisation.

The fundamental difference, I thought, is that people here are civilised. That spills over into every other action and decision. There is a respect for other people that permeates through to actions taken. They are shown respect and it is returned. They are respectful towards others, the environment and towards themselves in grooming and exercise.

I felt enormously thankful for those moments. It all felt so normal.

Then there is the filth – the hundreds of cigarette butts on every beach and patch of rock by the sea, the young man letting a piece of paper drop to the floor right outside Cordina’s, the dirty toilets in public places.

What an island.

Ejja, pimp my ride, Merilweez.

Negozji u ntricci ma’ dawk li ma jiddejqux bil-kriminalita’ ghax mit-taxxi li ma jhallsux jistghu jaghmlu xi ikla biex nidru nigbru il-flus.

Annimali jbatu, post jikkompeti tajjeb ghax bla permessi u spezzjonijiet ma jimpurtax ghax l-annimali m’ ghandomx vot u nuru li jaqblilna fuq il-billboards waqt li minn taht naghmlu xorta ohra.

Li tghawwed l-hawn u tbazwar l-hemm ma fiehx gherf. Li jkollok il-gravitas minn naha l-ohra, dik kapacita ta’ veru.

But then all a crook needs to know is that talk is cheap.