The summer is usually a period when school kids, mainstream teachers and most entertainment industries sigh a breath of relief for the break from the mandatory homework sessions, grading of papers and increase of business respectively. But if there’s one thing all Maltese locals can agree on is the freedom felt with the change in season; moving from the hustle and bustle of the summer to the chilled out vibe of the autumn.
There are a number of factors that won’t be missed in the early start of autumn, here are the top 8:
The sweltering heat
When temperatures rise to somewhere in the high 30s, there’s a whole lot of reason for the complaints that stir up every now and then. The heat is a major issue in the daily run-of-the-mill activities that go on from morning till night - this generally slows down due to the lethargic feeling experienced from the minute every alarm bell rings. See ya next year heatstroke!
The AC aftermath
Due to the crazy heat, most locals opt for AC powered nights, fans just don’t cut it when your bedroom feels like a preheated oven! There are a few cons to this absolute pro though, one of which is the blocked nose effect! The stuffy feeling of an AC sometimes slows the morning down quite drastically, but that’s the price you pay for a good night’s sleep. This is not something we’ll miss.
The sunburn effect
A day at the beach is always a day well spent, the feeling of the sand between your toes, the cooling effect of the sea as you take your first dip and the warmth of the sun’s rays hitting your shoulders as you paddle across the bay. Hah, there is a downside though, and it usually hits you once you disrobe and step into the privacy of your shower… this is the exact moment you realise your skin is as red a baboon’s bum… summer, we can live without that.
The heatwave overload
It seems as though this year met us with a series of heatwaves that occurred one after the other - with the intensity bucking up as they went along. During a heatwave, not only does the temperature rise, but the humidity is also altered; making it hard to breathe at times. Hopefully, next summer won’t be as drastic.
The buckets of sweat
Heatwave or not, the sweat levels in the summer are out of this world. Every step you take in the summer months is equivalent to a six hour trek to the peak of the highest mountain. It’s no joke when you need to jump into the shower 2 to 3 times a day. The moment you step out of the shower you can instantly feel the little beads of sweat forming on your temples. Not today Satan.
The packed everywhere
Whether you’re heading to the beach, interested in watching a movie at the cinema or even hungry for a restaurant meal, get yourself ready for a swarm of people stuffed into the area. Early arrival, booking in advance and even avoiding weekends or public holidays can give you a little more freedom to avoid the masses. Autumn is a great break from this chaos.
The wrath of the mosquitos
Insects thrive in the heat, they think it’s a great time to join the party and come out of hiding to grace us with their presence. Apart from the infestation of ants or flies and the seldom cockroach you’ll find on the pavement, the biggest foe of mankind during the summer is the mosquito. Citronella fuelled candles, insect screens and a multitude of prayers help to keep these blood-sucking beasts away.
The mass of tourists
English and Maltese are seldom heard in the summer months. They’re predominantly outranked by the spells of Italian, French, Russian, Polish and a variety of other non-native languages uttered from the mouths of the tourists that visit during the summer months. Tourists dominate the entertainment areas, and rightly so, but… the locals do get tired of it towards the end of September. Win some lose some.
Summer, ahh we love you, really we do. We love your versatility, your excitement and your absolute sense of freedom - we’re happy for the short break though. See you next year!