I've got less than a week left in Malta. Yesterday my awesome roommates headed home (my new ones will arrive today). Time seems to have gone by so fast.

Outside, the daily canon fire from the capital Valletta shakes the air and forms clouds of black smoke. You can almost imagine that there's a war going on.

After three weeks here, I've tired of a few things: firstly, the music. Almost everywhere you go in St. Julian's, be it the pool or at the clubs, the same radio or club hits are being played. Secondly, there are the bad drivers. I thought I'd seen bad driving after having been to Italy, but Maltese drivers are one of a kind. Taking a cab is a clash between Formula 1 and riding with Stuntman Mike in "Death Proof". Thirdly, I've tired of the heat. I'm in no position to complain abut having good weather – there's not a cloud in the sky – but the heat can be excruciating. The temperature is at an average of 35 degrees and taking a walk during lunch hour is like asking for the incessant sun to beat you down.

Even the hardened wild cats tire of the heat!

Enough complaining. I'll spend my last week getting to know my new roommates and visiting places that I haven't been to yet, such as the ancient city of Mdina (supposedly the home of great chocolate cake) and the cathedral in Valletta (where Caravaggio's "The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist" hangs).

See you later!

A second update from Malta