After two days of NO INTERNET I finally got the thing to work. My posts for the next few days may be feeble. No internet meant no way to buy tickets or find out what was going on. My phone didn't work well either. I had a hard time getting the weather or receiving emails.
Good Day to You
I've been sleeping a lot, but I'm always tired. Is this old age catching up with me or am I fighting with a bug I picked up on the plane? It's also significantly colder than I anticipated. Before booking my trip, I did check out the weather and packed accordingly, but weather forecasts aren't 100% reliable, so I'm often uncomfortable when I'm out and about. [The weather has turned warmer.When I was out today I took off my sweater.]
Today I decided to see a newly opened museum in Valletta. They call it a monastery, but it was--and still is?-- a convent of nuns dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria. The foundation is over 400 years old, but just recently opened to the public. I booked a ticket on line--no discount for being old this time.
I found the place and went in. It's clearly a very old building and the tour comprises the cloisters, work room, and some living quarters. Once a girl was accepted (and as she was a bride of Christ a dowry the family had to provide a dowry) she vowed never to leave the confines of the convent. No, not even in death. Nums were buried under the floor in one of the chapels. In Modern Times the Government of Malta decreed that this was no longer possible causing the sister such distress they had to rescind the order.
St. Catherine's was never a wealthy convent, but the nuns lived austerely and dedicated their lives to charity. They produced a lot of food, which they sent out to feed the poor.
The building is bare bones stone with no excess or extravagance. The furnishings are sparse and look uncomfortable. I'd guess it was pretty bleak in winter but protected from the summer's heat.
The highlight for me was the lovely cloister garden where the nuns grew herbs, fruit, and vegetables for themselves and the poor. But there was a bonus! I spotted a tiny, orange kitten, and I spoke to it. "Ah. It's Auntie Pil. I will allow her to pet me."
Bye for Now
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