Rubbish
I have found this small haven in the Mediterranean called Malta, a place known for its beautiful scenery, over 7,000 years of history, and a vibrant mix of cultural diversity. Its identity, inviting and welcoming hospitality, has appealed to me, and on every corner, there is something new to explore. So, what is a guy from rural Eastern North Carolina doing here? - Come and See…
After taking a gap year scholarship in June of this year, I leaped to take a complete year off of coursework and pursue the opportunity to travel. Though I have never been outside of the USA, the entire world suddenly opened its doors. In an attempt to bring my potential studies and passions into my day-to-day, I have found an organization that allows me to see the depths of my field and engage in the professional skills I have acquired in the past 2 years with the Chamber of Commerce.
Friends of the Earth Malta, an NGO promoting environmental sustainability and social justice, offered me a position as a volunteer on the communications team. I am the first American this organization has ever brought on board. Despite the many ongoing visa troubles I will not discuss here, I am here in Malta starting my service.
As I am sitting in a coffee shop writing this, I have spent 1 week in Malta so far. For starters, there have been unexpected reactions and cultural differences I have spotted and experienced during these first few days.
When I first landed, I was scared. Truly, the buildings were old and rustic, and when on the roads, the damaged signs and terrain created a scene that looked like something from the Middle East. I remember thinking, ‘Owen, oh, what did you get yourself into?’ But, disclaimer: I haven’t allowed this to scare me very much as it is beautiful when walking down the streets.
‘You are in Europe, it’s called Rubbish’ - My first encounter when asking where to throw away my trash. But there’s not just one can for all garbage; there’s several. In the US, there is a bin for plastic waste in an attempt to recycle, but here, there are also other bins for waste items. One for food, such as banana peels and apple cores, a second for containers, such as an empty yogurt tub or egg carton, and then a third for anything else such as used paper towel or trash. Now, yes, I am working with an environmental sustainability organization here, so I understand the effort to balance waste, but come on now, food and containers can’t go into the same bin?
Happy hour is a universal practice for restaurants. Every day, from 4 pm-7 pm, ALL restaurants host happy hour, where you can purchase one cocktail and get a second one free. The servers brought out the second drink with the initial one, which was very intimidating at first but better for my wallet.
‘Wait, you are from America?’ - This I get often. And I’m not writing this in the sense that it is offending but from a sense of confusion. With this spark, I then began to ask around to see if it was common for Americans to visit Malta, and what I discovered was quite the opposite. Malta receives more tourists from the UK, Italy, France, Germany, and Spain than any other country. Americans travel to Mexico, Canada, and France more than any region in Asia, Africa, or the Mediterranean.
Everyone speaks English, but the ones that don’t. Before coming to Malta, I expected there to be a large language barrier and was prepared to use Google Translate frequently, but this is not the case…well, for the Maltese at least. All of my coworkers native to the area, explained to me that I would experience more difficulty communicating with folks who were tourists and didn’t speak English instead of the people who were actually from Malta. To provide an example, two of the residents in my homestay are from Spain and I have a more difficult time talking and explaining the typical day with them vs. ordering at the local Maltese pub.
FRIENDS is a HIT. The iconic American show FRIENDS is almost a lifestyle here in Malta. In team meetings, group discussions, and even decor can lead to a FRIENDS reference. I recently discovered a Portuguese-influenced coffee shop, and after visiting with a colleague, she mentioned that though the coffee and cuisine offered are intended to be completely Portuguese-inspired, the atmosphere and vibe are supposed to replicate the coffee shop in FRIENDS.
The past week has been a heck of an experience itself. I have met so many new people, tried so many new things, and even caught myself in places I never thought I would be.
Malta is beautiful and there are so many places to see and things to do but, the island is only 9 miles wide and 17 miles long, so I think I have some time to explore.
Personal Reflection
I am doing well. I have been able to navigate the area, take public transportation (A BIG win for me,) and even find some favorite local spots.
Though I was homesick for one period over the week, I tried to stay busy, keeping my mind ‘living in the moment.’ I try not to stay confined at the house or in my room because I don’t like quiet. I find coffee shops and public places often more relaxing and comfortable than the house. (That’s why I can justify living here because a coffee I would purchase at home for almost $7 is €2 in Malta.)
But, whenever writing about my personal experiences and providing context into my life, I always like to provide a story…
A few days ago, I was riding the bus from the office back home. I had my AirPods in and actively looked at the map on my phone to see the best stop in close proximity to home. A younger boy, around 11 or 12 years old, wearing his soccer uniform, tapped me on the shoulder. He asked me, “Sir, what time is it?” I said, “It’s 4:30.” He seemed flustered and upset. I asked him if he was alone, and he said, “Yes, I got on the bus to go to practice, but I left my phone at home, and I am trying to get off quickly before I get lost.” I stood up and walked with him to the bus exit and pointed in the direction in which he originally hopped on. He ran off the bus and while looking back he screamed “Thank you so much,” I smiled and screamed out as the bus doors began to close, “Please be safe buddy.”
I have probably taken this simple interaction too deeply, but it clarified my purpose and intentions of being here. Though the bus was full of people, folks chatting on the left and teenagers listening to music on the right, this boy approached me. Maybe it was because I was the one nearest to him, or maybe because he knew he was more comfortable asking me a question than someone else. Solo Me was a support tool for a stranger in need. This interaction could have happened anywhere in the world, and that’s the beauty of my travel purpose.
I am a tourist. I take pictures of everything I see, I use Google Maps to know where I am, and I ask random questions, but I have a completely different outlook on my travels. To not poke fun or be disrespectful to differences from what I find familiar, but to truly immerse myself in where I am. On paper, I am here as a marketing intern for a nonprofit organization, but in my heart, I am here to be a Light, and I must keep that focus on days that I feel like I don’t.
I thank God every day for this opportunity. To be young, to do everything I want to do, to take it all in. But I don’t forget about the one who makes it all possible.
So, I refuse to worry. To live one day at a time, trying to keep my body healthy and my mind focused on why I’m here, and to figure out the correct bin in which the rubbish goes…
Mela Mela, Ciao Ciao now. See you soon!
