One evening I got this strong urge to go to Valletta and my wife insisted that we go there at around 5 o’clock, otherwise the shops would be closed. I argued that it wasn’t November but 23 December, so we could enjoy the festive charm of lights, live music, decorated shop windows, street entertainers and so on. I was looking forward to a long, delightful evening.

We entered Republic Street at around 7:30pm. Being optimistic by nature, at best I could describe the street décor and lighting as mediocre, but most of the streets were bare, dark and filthy. The very few shops that were not closed were taking in their last customers. The roads were deserted except for a small group listening to a Mass in front of the Law Courts.

By 9pm we were heading out, dismayed and disappointed. Once bitten, twice shy!

George Caruana

MOSTA