My mate has invited me to go with her to Malta. I was so happy and so excited. She said we will show up at the Mnarja festival. This feast is also called L-Imnarja to give thanks to Saints Peter and Paul. This feast is a national festival of Malta and it is celebrated every June 29. I leaped for joy with happiness in my heart. I was filled with excitement! We started searching the web for cheap holidays to Malta.
We prepared the documents that are needed, ensuring that they are updated. We also visited our family doctor for the necessary shots needed for the journey. Our bags were all packed and ready for our trip. We checked that our cameras were packed and additional batteries were bought. Our families gave us their blessings and told us to enjoy the trip.
Family members and friends escorted us to the airport during the departure day. We took a lot of pictures to immortalize the moment. It was also our first time to ride an aircraft, and my best friend and I were understandably thrilled. We were so glad because my best friend’s uncle and his household were there to welcome us at the airport. They chatted and told us about the activities and destinations that they’re planning for us. Both of us were bombarded with excitement as we took pictures of the scenery. I especially love the architecture of the fine old buildings.
In Malta, the roadways were filled with activity and life. And the streets were so lively and busy. In every place we visited, a member of the uncle’s family imparted information about the place. About the Mnarja festival itself, we learned that it was a festival that is filled with prayers, meals, and music. And this feast was one of the most essential festival in the Maltese culture. L-Imnarja, the other name of the feast, was a Roman Luninaria banquet. The word means “illumination” in English. The festivity started with the reading of the “bandu.” The “bandu” was an official communication from the government. This tradition has been done since the 16th century. At night, we had the chance to witness a torchlight procession. The flickering lights gave a new point of view to the people around us. It added magic and beauty to the parade. We were in amazement of the many people who participated in the event. And the lights they carried appeared like fireflies in the night.
My best friend’s family offered us the best gastronomic experience. They bought and cooked a lot of varieties of food. Some were rather familiar while others are absolutely exotic. But, we tasted all of them so as not to give offense to our hosts. To our enjoyment all the food that we tasted were all yummy. We were also toured to some of the most note-worthy places to see in Malta. We visited St John’s Co-Cathedral and prayed there. We saw the ornate interiors of the church and its stunning marble floor. We learned that the Order of the Knights Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem worshiped there. We also paid our dues to view the museum. The beautiful artwork were a sight to behold. For more details about this beautiful place, view website of Malta.
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