Hey, former OB coworkers! This statue is pro-breastfeeding!
St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, Malta
Last night, I met a Maltese med student named David at an Irish bar here in Paceville. He told me that he’s hoping to become a general practitioner (preferrably in Ireland) someday. One really interesting thing that I learned from him is that here in Malta, medical students are paid a small amount of recompense during their internships or residencies! I think that’s great. It would be nice to not be overworked, exhausted, AND broke to boot during med school. And I kind of got the impression that they aren’t in quite so much debt when they finish school here. We had a great conversation, and I was glad to meet him. (It was definitely better than listening to the awful karaoke that was just beginning!
Lion Fountain, St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta
Then today, I met a local guy named David. He and I had a very interesting conversation where I learned quite a bit about current Maltese culture. Apparently, up until a few years ago, divorce was actually illegal in this country! It makes sense, when you think about it, given that this is an extremely Catholic country – with more churches per capita than just about anywhere else in the world. However, I found it quite fascinating. I asked if there was a “rush” to get divorces once it was legalized. David said there was a waiting period, kind of like a trial separation that was required, so it didn’t really happen like that. It wasn’t as if a third or even a tenth of the people you knew suddenly ended their marriages as soon as it was legal. But I wonder what the statistics were.
Card-Phone Booth seen in Valletta
These are the kinds of things that I like talking to locals and learning about. I’m glad I met the Davids this week. I’ve been fighting a fever and cold/cough these last few days, so I’ve been feeling kind of yucky. It was nice to have a couple of good, low-key interactions.
Altar of St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta
I met my second David today after I had visited the St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, which was stunningly beautiful, albeit rather overwhelmingly so at times. It was constructed, I believe by the Knights Templar, beginning in the 1500s. The whole cathedral was done in that overly-ornate way of the period. There was gilt and gold everywhere. Hidden in the shine, behind the gilt and gold was some spectacular artwork however, such as a few pieces by Carravagio, among others. The entrance fee came with an audio tour, which was nice, as it was quite informative and interesting, so I enjoyed it. I arrived a little late, so I hurried through a bit, but it would’ve been a bit much if I saw it all, I think.
View of Valletta from St. Julians
All in all, it was a pretty neat day. It’s fun staying near to the capitol, rather than in Buggibba, like I did last week, but since I’ve been in Paceville, I’d not made the time to come into the walled city part of town yet. I’m glad I did.Valletta is a very beautiful city and I’m glad I came into the old town.
I stopped at a delightful restaurant along a cobblestone street and had a delicious salmon dinner before taking the bus back to my apartment that night. Yeah, a good day. Now I shall fall asleep to the metronomic thumping beat from the music of the nightclubs on the street below. (I actually don’t say that ironically. I really will fall asleep, and quite easily, which is lucky, since this apartment is, as advertised, right in the center of Paceville’s nightclub hot-zone!)
Entrance Ticket to St. John’s, Valletta, Carravaggio artwork