Week 21 25th-30th June

Our final week had arrived and it was time to say goodbye already on the Monday. The first one to leave us was our friend Sinead from Liverpool, who didn't live in residence (but might as well have) but we will still miss her presence as she was very outgoing and could always bring a group together. To say goodbye we decided to hit the karaoke bar as it was the usual typical Monday night thing to do and coincidentally one of Sinead’s favourite thing to do. We had an amazing night getting loads of free food and just having fun together. I also finally found out what the weird free meat was that I had been eating every time I had went to this bar and thought was chicken, well I was way off apparently it was pigeon! I didn’t mind to be honest it just tasted like KFC.

Even though this was the last week I was really looking forward to it as the Isle of MTV Malta special had finally arrived! Malta has held this event for five years with previous stars including Lady Gaga, LMFAO and David Guetta. The Isle of MTV was a massive concert that was being held by MTV in Valetta with performers this year including nelly Fortado, Flo Rida and Will.I.Am. This was the day everyone was looking forward too as we had known about it since the start of Erasmus and so almost everyone in residence was going.  Unfortunately one of the girls called Jo couldn't attend as she had an accident the day before the concert. A group of the girls decided to go to Melia Bay as there was water trampolines and water obstacle courses, however they weren't as fun as they had hoped as Jo had fallen and ended up dislocating her knee! Therefore for her on safety she couldn't make it too the MTV event and was devastated.

Once we got there we started freaking out about the crowds as Niamh had hurt her toe and we didn't want anyone standing on it and also the heat of everyone being crushed together! However we worried over nothing and as soon as the concert began we didn't even think about any of our worries. We all had an amazing day and had so much fun dancing and singing along together as a big Erasmus group. My favourite artist had to be Will.I.Am as he played not just his own songs but a mix of other artist’s music. I was sad to see the end of the day and I am sure the cleaners were also as the place was just covered in litter everywhere! We were all so tired as we had been singing and dancing all night therefore we couldn't wait to get home but of course we were in Malta and our buses were late (should be used to it by now).

 

Thursday had come and it was time for another emotional goodbye! This time it was Sarah who was from America who was a huge influence in our group of friends, therefore as you can imagine we all got very upset when it was time to say goodbye! As a group we decided to go out for dinner to Sarah’s favourite restaurant called Texmex. TexMex is a Mexican restaurant and served the nicest food you could imagine. The group would go here often but it was my first and wasn't I annoyed that it had taken me this long to finally go as the food was unbelievably tasty! At the end of the dinner we went out to the sea front and took our last picture with the entire group there and that’s when the tears began! Thursday was also our last night as an Erasmus family in Pacevillie, we all stayed together and had a great laugh thinking back on all the memories and time we had spent there. So as well as saying goodbye to our friends we also said goodbye to Pacevillie and the people we had met there.

Friday was a day of just packing and sorting out what I was bringing home and leaving behind so that I wasn’t charged for my bag being overweight. I had more than what I thought and I had to sacrifice pairs of shoes (which is difficult for a girl to do) to fit everything in. between packing I also lay by the pool to catch the last load of rays that I could and to take advantage of the pool as I won't have one outside my door when I come home, not like we have the weather in Belfast anyway! That night the girls that were left decided to sit by the pool and enjoy each other’s company for the last time sharing memories and planning reunions already! That night while we were all together we decided to make sure we were awake at 5am to say goodbye to our Canadian friends Colin and Patricia then to wake up at 8am and say goodbye to Jo from London and Emily from Canada who was going to London to stay with Jo and watch the Olympics. We all stuck by our word and had many emotional group hugs as we said goodbye to each person that’s when reality hit that we were leaving.

Saturday had arrived and my last few hours which should have been for packing and making sure I had everything were actually spent outside by the pool getting my last speck of tan. I was very silly and thought let’s not wear sun cream, and well I just got completely burnt, however eventually turning to tan by the time we were ready to leave for the airport. Once again Malta taxis are never on time or else get it wrong!  We ordered a taxi for six people and one car came, therefore having to wait another 30 minutes on a mini bus, but it wouldn't be Malta if that didn't happen. Our final hugs were given and our last goodbyes were made, but what I like to say is not goodbye but see you again!

So there we have it the end of Erasmus in Malta. It has been emotional in good ways and bad, but I loved every minute of it and I wouldn't take a single moment back! This is an amazing experience that I will cherish all my life, I have seen many places and met amazing people along the way and I will never forget the memories we shared.

Thank you Malta!