Dust & Echoes in Valletta: A Slightly Broken Trip
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm espresso. i landed in valletta, malta, like, 72 hours ago and my brain feels like a scrambled egg. the humidity is something. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. it’s clinging to everything, like a really persistent houseguest who only wants to talk about the weather. the pressure’s at 1016, which is…fine, i guess? feels like 866, which is just…low.
seriously, valletta is…intense. it’s like someone took a bunch of ancient stones and just stacked them really, really high. and then added a whole lot of pastel buildings. it’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but it’s also a little overwhelming. i spent the first few hours just wandering around, trying to figure out where i was going and, honestly, mostly just getting lost. which, you know, is kind of the point, right?
my gear list? let’s see… my battered camera (obviously), a notebook that’s already falling apart, a ridiculously oversized tote bag, and a half-empty bottle of hand sanitizer. i also brought my lucky socks - you never know when you’ll need those. and a portable charger. because, duh.
i heard that the best pastizzi are at Caru’s, but someone told me that’s just what the tour guides say. i grabbed one from a little place near the market - it was okay. salty, cheesy, vaguely unsettling. like a tiny, delicious betrayal.
i stumbled across this tiny alleyway filled with street art - seriously, the talent here is insane. it’s not the polished, Instagram-perfect stuff, though. it’s raw, messy, and feels…real. like someone just spilled their emotions onto the walls. it’s kinda giving me vibes of a forgotten backstreet in berlin, but with more sunshine.
i spent an afternoon at the upper barrakka gardens. the view of the grand harbor is pretty epic, especially when the sun’s hitting the water just right. it’s a bit touristy, sure, but it’s also a good spot to just sit and watch the world go by. i overheard gossip that the cannons are only fired on St. Michael’s Day, but i didn’t see any signs of preparation.
if you get bored, slovenia is just a short drive away. seriously, it’s a thing. i’m not saying you should go, but…options.
i’m trying to find a decent coffee shop, but everything seems to be serving some kind of weird, overly-sweet concoction. i need a proper espresso. like, a real espresso. i found a place called “The Daily Grind” - it’s small, dark, and smells like burnt beans. it’s perfect.
i’m thinking of checking out the mdina tomorrow - it’s supposed to be like a medieval ghost town. i’m hoping to catch a glimpse of something…interesting. or at least a really good photo.
i’m also considering a day trip to gozo. i saw some pictures online and it looks like a totally different vibe. more rugged, more…windswept.
honestly, i’m just trying to soak it all in before i inevitably crash. this place is a beautiful mess, and i’m pretty sure i’m going to need a week to process it all.
check out TripAdvisor for some more ideas: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g298368-Valletta_Valletta
and for the best pastizzi (maybe?): https://www.yelp.com/search?query=pastizzi&sort_by=relevance&location=Valletta%2C+Malta
and a local forum for tips: https://www.maltahome.com/