THE WEEKLY MONTY

TUESDAY MAY17-16 7:30 am - Our days have passed with wonderful sun, light breezes, calm crystal clear sea and the promise that summer is on the way although later than usual.  Temperatures keep climbing and today we are expecting 24c which would be most days this time of year.  Buoys are in the bay awaiting the launching of more fishing boats and recreational vessels of all sizes.  There is a snorkeler we see each year we've been here and he's in the water these days, exploring the bay.  Maybe he has a job to check the buoy anchors, regardless, he's become a sure sign of summer.   

            Mike and I bused and wandered to  Cospicua, one of the Three Cities, to the large weekly Monty (flea market) which seemed to stretch for miles. As far as you can see, shoulder to shoulder people moving in both directions, maneuvering around displays, women with bulging bags, young children sleeping or crying in strollers (push cars), shoppers pushing or dragging behind them a wheeled grocery carrier and purchasers trying to make their selection from the table before them.  Canopied Vendors with every conceivable item; racks and racks of clothing; some hanging from the canopy supports, towels for bath and kitchen, rugs, meters of fabrics, fruits and vegetables, bedding plants, curtains, laundry & bath soaps, shampoo, deodorants of all kinds, all mashed together on a table.  Shoes, toys, pots and pans, plastic containers of every size, purses, jewellery and so much more I couldn't possibly remember all we saw.  If you need some item, you will find it here. Row on row of vendors, some yelling out their special discounts of the day;  "5 €  the best of show only 5 €"  which is precisely what the vendor 3 stalls down is selling the same item for...sounds of people chatting, visiting, greeting or bargaining converge and become the music of the Monty.

            Without purchasing one item, we crossed over to Vittoriosa and walked some side lanes exploring and found we were near the ferry to cross over to Valletta.  We caught the waiting ferry and rode many meters up the lift to the top of the rampart wall on the Grand Harbour and into the centre, bought Pastizzi and an Iced Tea, eating as we walked.  As we sauntered along we found a small gallery was open where we viewed some watercolour paintings by George Apap. His paintings represented old vanishing Valletta sites in  bright, bold colours, using archives of old photos as his reference.  Of course, we discussed his techniques and he encouraged me to continue with my art. 

Our stroll ended on Republic Street, the main street of Valletta and my favourite art store, VGB where I picked up 2 watercolour paper sheets which they very kindly cut for me, as 22"x30" sheets are a bit difficult to handle on a bus. Now I'll start doing some serious painting.

Ciao