Local or Guest?

So how long does it take for you to live somewhere and actually be considered a local? Are there certain requirements you have to fulfil? Maybe you have to speak the language, be able to give directions, know at least 5 people on the bus before you get to your destination? I admit I can’t speak the language (I haven’t been reading my Learn Maltese, Why Not book... I’ll tell you Why Not- honayyyy no time), I have been asked for directions (which I was able to give, surprise, surprise), and sure I don’t know 5 people on the bus but is it weird that I saw a guy from the grocery store near my residence in Lija, walking around in Valletta and I thought to myself “oh that’s Carlos from Smart.” Okay, ya that’s probably weird that I know his name because we’ve never talked before, I am just observant and I’ve read his name tag. My point is that in the past seven weeks that I’ve been here, I feel more and more like a local every day. I usually eat lunch at one of four places which therefore makes me a regular there and it’s really nice when people recognize you and genuinely ask you how you’re doing. Take for example, the salad place (I don’t actually know the name of the restaurant –some regular I am), I went there Friday morning before my exam to grab a cappuccino and then later to get a wrap and the guys there asked me how the exam went. I’m not sure how many places I could go to at home that would do that. It’s a nice feeling. I also feel like a local based on the fact that I can spot the non-locals. It’s a fun game I like to call “Spot the Brit.” It’s an all-too-easy game because you can spot them because they’re the only ones dressed in some sort of white apparel, often times looking slightly cold because- surprise- it’s not summer anymore. I’m not going to lie, even though it’s not summer, the weather right now is really great- not too hot and not too cold, like a perfect September afternoon. Sorry you guys at home in 3 degree weather, it’s still around 20 in Malta. Woot 

On another note, I took advantage of the little free time I was given this weekend and I went exploring to Marsaxlokk (say that 3 times fast), the old fishing village. The girls and I walked around and checked out the market, sat down to people watch a bit and then came back home. When we got back to Valletta we noticed that some of the Christmas lights have been turned on in the city and it’s really beautiful so see. It makes me crave some hot wine and Christmas movies. So if you need to find me in five weeks time, I’ll probably be drunk under my snuggie watching The Holiday.  Here’s hoping that those five weeks go quickly -I know that the next 2 will for sure, I’m mentally preparing for a killer module.  

Trying to ward off the evil of my next course