Carnival is a fun-filled festival held in the week leading up to Lent. Many people have heard of the wild celebrations that take place in Venice and Brazil, but I was very surprised to hear that Malta is another country known for holding these crazy festivities. During the five days of Carnival, local Maltese and visitors alike flock to Gozo, Malta's sister island, to party late into the night, see the colorful costumes and face paint, and watch the creative floats pass through the packed streets of Nadur.

As a California girl, I didn't anticipate a big meteorological transition after moving to a Mediterranean island. Surprise! Despite its very hot summer months, Malta's weather has a secretly dark and temperamental side during the winter. Let's just say that the weather can be a volatile mix of rain, icy-cold winds, and occasional hail, not to mention the dramatic shifts from sun to sudden downpour that often send me running through the wet streets seeking the warmth and shelter of local cafés. On top of that, I live in a heating-less flat so cold that I can see my breath inside and must walk through the chilly streets to get to class. Needless to say, I have come up with some good ways to keep warm. Here are some tips for how to survive the winter in Malta.

Continued…

It’s been two months since I left the United States to move to Malta, and I have finally stopped hearing the question “Where the heck is Malta?” and having to point out that tiny dot next to Sicily on a map to inquisitive friends and family.

Malta is 121 square miles, which is pretty tiny—the city of San Diego is only 372 square miles. My first couple months here have proven, though, that sometimes the best things—and experiences!—really do come in small packages. Simply put, I love it here.

After a long week of class, a tropical getaway to Comino and the Blue Lagoon sounded perfect. An hour's ride on an Arriva bus followed by a Comino commuter ferry, though, were not quite as appealing (there are cruise boats that run to Comino for tourists, but I was advised to avoid those). After a little convincing from my roommate, I decided that we both needed to discover uncharted territory (as well as break from school and the crowded streets of Sliema). I am so happy we decided to take the trip, because going to Comino was like entering another world—a world where everyone is tan, lives in swimsuits, and floats in the clear turquoise water all day.

Even the bus and boat rides I complained about as our trip began early Saturday morning turned out to beautiful, with plenty of photo opportunities. Once you arrive, you can truly feel the stresses of class and work leaving you. You really have no choice but to relax when you see the beauty that encompass Comino—all you can see are rolling hills, sun decks carved into rocky cliffs with lounge chairs for rent (€5), and yachts and party boats docked in the harbor. Both water and sand were crowded, but my roommate and I managed to find two chairs right on the edge of the water.

Some sunscreen, a towel, maybe an iPod, and an ice-cold Cisk (Malta’s local beer) are the only things you need for a calming experience at Comino. What more could you ask for?