Ukrainian man who went to Malta

Since the beginning of December I was really looking to my next trip, which would not only be quite an exotic(for me) place of my destination travel, but also a reunion with some old friends, as well as some work related issues to be solved.

Malta. Before coming here, the only thing I knew or heard, was the famous video "the Italian man who went to Malta". Some history facts also were somewhere in my mind, but nothing too interesting or special, I can distinguish. If you by any chance haven't seen the video, here it is:

The trip started for me in my beloved center of the world, called Banska Bystrica (Slovakia), where it is so easy to get everywhere. In parallel reality. In mine, I had to get to Budapest (where my flight supposed to take off) by three changes of buses and trains (Banska Bystrica - Zvolen - Nove Zamky - Surany - Budapest). Luckily, I succeeded only with two, as the father of my fellow travel friend, Natalia, took us from Surany to Budapest airport by car. The ride was really fast and pleasure one, so it was just a matter of time until we fly to the island of mysteries.

My affiliation with Wizzair plane went really fast too, as due to my early morning time travelling, I was quite exhausted, and thus I fell asleep and slept through almost all the flight. That meant I didn't fully enjoy the beauty of Mediterranean sea from above. This time. I was also really surprised to see Ukrainian language on the board of Wizzair plane, as well as advertisement about restaraunts in my precious hometown Lviv.

As we landed, the main task for us was to find the hostel, where we were staying. That wasn't too hard, as almost everybody in Malta speaks English. Except the bus drivers apparently. They are also quite crazy and potential Formula 1 stars I must admit. It actually reminded me Georgia and Armenia a bit. As we managed to reach our temporary accommodation, we relaxed for a while, and took off to explore Malta.

ELSA(European Law Students' Association). That was actually the formal reason I came to Malta. The 65th International Council Meeting (ICM). The organization I am affiliated with for already 7 years. It actually haven't changed much through the time to be honest. Same positives and same negatives. New and old faces, eager to make an impact on their life, career and future. The environment was really awesome, as these 400 people, come from different states, cultures and backgrounds, but what they all share in common is ELSA Spirit. That is the most important thing that keeps all of us together and united. Together with sunny weather (+22-25) and good mood it made this ICM awesome and unique, as any other one is.

I was also interested in sightseeing around this amazing island, as apparetnly I don't know when will be the next time, I will go back here. So my aim was to see as much as possible. I managed to visit Valetta, which is the capital, see there some old and interesting buildings, and has some really awesome views. I was even lucky to see the prime-minister of Malta, as he was entering the government building. The amount of security to escort him, was like 4 persons maximum. Maybe the same amount as the security guard of Ukrainian regular minister could have. After Valetta, I also visited Mdina, which is an old capital of Malta, and you can really feel the arab impact over there. I liked it a lot actually. As a part of our sightseeing, organizers took us to Marsaxlokk, which is a traditional fishing village, where we could see lots of beautiful boats. Prior to this we also had a chance to take a ride in one, but it was motorboat and gave us a ride round the place of Blue Lagoon, a real pearl of Malta.

What will I remember about Malta? Good time with Ukrainian delegation, because as for person living for long time abroad, sometimes I really lack my compatriots and Ukrainian language. Beautiful views of sea and real understanding that this an island, and only sea is out there. Interesting sightseeing places and the weirdest church, near our hostel. All the interesting discussions I head on ELSA issues, as well as fruiful chit-chats on other topics. Feeling of being somewhere in UK, because there a lot, and really a lot of English pubs and bars, with mostly elderly people hanging out there. I honestly made to myself an impression that Malta is somehow a resort or let’s say fancy retiring center for people for the British Isles. 

Everything has ability to come to the end. So did my Malta experience. The road back home, when it is not your real home, is also quite exhausting and gives you weird feeling. Nevertheless it is vital to stay as positive as possible it is. Our plane was a bit late to leave and arrive, which gave us a feeling that we can be late for our connection trains. And after arriving to Budapest, me and Natalia rushed to look for some options to get to the train station. We were already running late, and she kept reassuring me that our train will be leaving later, and we don't need to worry. I honestly did not believe that it is possible, as I cannot imagine an international train being late from the starting station. 

But luckily she was right. After we literally run into the train, we were so happy and on the seventh moon, we couldn't think about anything that could ruin our mood. Naive. Hungarian conductors happen to arrive. Shining still from the happiness, we asked how much is the ticket, and we were surprised to hear 38 euros. We thought maybe their English is not good (well it wasn't at all) or the price was in some other currency. Meanwhile, our smile slowly turned into sad face, as they explained to us, if we don't buy a ticket in the train station at the international tickets selling point, then you have to pay fine 30 euros.

The thing was not even in paying the fine, because we as young lawyers understand the regulations, even when they are stupid as hell (and this was one of them). The matter was in completely inhuman attitude towards us. Like we are criminals. At certain point I thought they are being fascist (the word I don't like to use, but in this case it was a time to do so). For me, as an open-minded person, who travelled quite a lot that was a complete shocker. Didn't expect such attitude in Hungary. 

The experience in general was really wicked this time. And that is the beauty of travelling. You never know how well it will go, but you know for sure that it will be memorable, and if you are positive with your thoughts, then you also do only positive conclusions about it.

Travel and explore. Explore and find what you are looking for.