White Christmas

I would like to share a short story with readers, if I may, to help them brand their beloved country.

A few days ago I decided to go for a walk from Siggiewi to Ghar Lapsi, and it happened to be a bit windy but still nice for a walk - if it was not for the heavy vehicles coming out of the quarry.

All the lorries where loaded with material extracted from the heart of our island which was flying with the wind into my eyes and onto the trees around me.

Not even one of the trucks had a cover on top as they should by law. At times during my walk I had to turn and walk in reverse to reach my destination because I could not even see where I was going for the dust.

On one of my turns I crashed into two tourists coming uphill from Ghar Lapsi. Excuse me, I told them. Don't bother, was their reply, we too had to turn and walk in reverse on our way downhill.

Though it was difficult to converse, they asked me why the Maltese accept all this. We are preparing for a White Christmas, I replied. They left with a smile on their faces.

At least I got out of that situation and gave those people a taste of the brand we would all like to be famous for - the friendliness.

Now that was my effort at branding, as a layman. Are the authorities going to do the rest, to put a stop to this, so that we will have a better Malta?