First time that I travelled

I will let you know the first time I traveled. I was working in a small hotel. The only workers there were my sisters because I come from a very big family. Four sisters worked there. The hotel wasn't luxurious .It looked like a double story house with large rooms. It had seven rooms and a dinning room. A few of the rooms had two or three beds in them. One room had one. We used to get to know the people who came on holidays there and we cried at times, when they left. We had a couple from Germany, they came for their honeymoon and were photographers. They asked us if they could take photo of us sisters. We changed into nice outfits and went on the roof. Ok you Americans,English and Australians the roof was flat and we used to hang the sheets table clothes, there to dry. An Italian couple came in our hotel with two boys. Their ages were three and four years. They asked us how much we earn. Those days our pay was 2 pounds to four pounds. he said he will double that, and asked if I wanted to work for them. I was happy so I asked my mother if I could go, she didn't say anything. So I started my passport, taking photos, visa and all necessary things. But because I was under eighteen  I had to have an identity card instead. I wasn't sure that I will end up going. I was just seventeen, a young and small looking teenager. I bought a luggage and she took me to the airport. Everything looked excited for me a big adventure, not going to work any more at the hotel. I kissed my mother good bye and off I went boarding the plane. The flight was about an hour and twenty minutes. I wasn't scared but somehow, before the plane landed I started to worry, that the Italian couple would not be there to welcome me. So I heard back home that the air hostesses take good care of you. So I asked one of them that I was scared they won't be there. The air hostess told she would wait till I saw them. When I came off the plane in the airport sure enough they were there. What a relief for a scared little girl of seventeen who only knew a small town. I stayed a year and three months, learnt the language was a good experience. I couldn't manage to do all the chores, taking care of two boys, cleaning, cooking, washing the clothes. I didn't have and days off. But I didn't know any better. Those of you,who read my blog could you please leave a comment. As you can tell I'm not a writer so sorry.

Traditions

Traditions is what I'm talking about today. A girl had nice henna tattooed on her hand. I asked her why she had it on and she said she had done it for a celebration that her friend had. We didn't have time to talk more. Another tradition that I met was a boy with long her. I asked him if he could cut it when he is bored with it, he said yes when ever he wants to he can. As far as I know I can't remember any traditions but there was one when I was young I will tell you what I know about it. I remember a couple of women still wearing them. It was hard in church if you were behind them you couldn't see a thing.

The għonnella is pronounced "awe-nel-la" , sometimes referred to as  Faldetta, was a form of women's head dress and shawl, or hooded cloak, unique to the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo. It was generally made of cotton or silk, and usually black or some other dark colour, although from the sixteenth century onwards, noble women and women from wealthier households frequently wore white or brightly coloured għenienel plural for one. The għonnella covered the head,  but did not cover the face. The upper part of the għonnella was starched quite stiffly, and given a broad, rounded frame, formed by means of a board, cane, or whalebone. This gave the għonnella a mysterious but alluring, sail-like appearance. From a practical perspective, this broad bonnet captured much needed cooling breezes during the hot Maltese summer. On cooler days, the wearer could wrap the għonnella around her face more tightly, by making a slight adjustment. The lower part of the għonnella could be worn loosely draped around the wearer's bodice and hips, or more tightly wrapped in the case of inclement weather. It would typically fall to mid-calf length. While walking, the wearer would hold one or both sides of the għonnella clasped in her right hand.