This is the kind of experience you know would change your storyline forever, but I didn’t want to think about it. I honestly had no expectations; I barely knew where I was going. It was one of the few times I let life surprise me.

My only goal/responsibility was to improve my English skills. It would open many professional paths. It would make me capable of writing in English as well as I do in Spanish. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I’m a good writer.

The time had come. I had an endless road to Malta. My trip was Medellín – New York, 10-hour scale, New York – Frankfurt, Frankfurt – Malta. I left home on Friday night and arrived in Malta on Sunday at noon.

When I left my home, I had this funny sense I wouldn’t come back; I was right. The guy who said goodbye was not the same who came back. But then, I thought I would stay in Europe because you never know.

First Stop: NYC

I was lucky to not have to collect my luggage until Malta. The layover was long enough to take a quick tour through the city. I didn’t sleep on the plane; who can rest sitting on an endless burst of thoughts and emotions like excitement, anxiety, and fear.

It was windy and cold (at least for me. I’m a pussy for cold weather.) My first stop was a Starbucks; I needed caffeine so bad I forgot that Americans have another sense of volume (or no sense at all; everything is huge there), so I asked for a “big” black coffee. – God, dammed. I was not paying attention, and that cup was like a liter or so, hot as hell. I burned my tongue with the first sip and had to wait at least half an hour to finally get my caffeine (anxiety) boost.

I was there to walk this city again where I had some beautiful moments with my ex-girlfriend (I will probably write about that trip too, who knows), and I wanted an iPad, so I had to move. I walked 10km through Manhattan with my “handbag” (12kg backpack). I didn’t care how bad my back was hurting because I was filled with this strength of hope that blessed the people who started a new adventure.

It was like I was dreaming. The ground felt soft, and the air in my chest lifted me until I wondered, “Is this real?” then my back yelled, “Yeah motherfucker… it is real. Give me a break, man”. Speaking the truth, this layover made me realize I had no idea how great things would be. But I didn’t want to overthink and face the leap I was about to make.

Why Malta? The USA is closer to Colombia.

Frankfurt – I didn’t feel welcome there. The immigration agent was not friendly and asked why Malta if the USA was closer – Who told you I wanted to stay near my home? Who the fuck you are to ask me anything about my personal life at all? Mind your own business. I’m not doing anything illegal. I’m not the kind of Colombian who carries trouble and felonies. It sucks to be an immigrant, even if you are doing everything ok, it sucks to feel unwelcome, “remember that you have to leave the EU, and you can’t stay here longer than 90 days”. Bitch, I just showed my tickets… anyway, I may take that personal because I was moody thanks to the lack of sleep, it is his job to be like this, and he doesn’t care about any travelers life at all, so yes, I know it was not personal for sure.

So, why Malta?

I used to answer that I chose Malta because I didn’t need a visa, the English course was “cheaper” than other countries, and because it was an exotic and exciting destination. But I wasn’t really sure why I chose Malta.

Why not Malta? It’s an Island on the Mediterranean Sea. What a place to pause your life for a while. I had passed through my darkest hour (If you have read my first post, you would know. If you didn’t, my darkest hour lasted a couple of years). Now it was time to rise as a Fenix, to spread my wings pursuing the blue sky and maybe the sun, but I’m not Icarus. Anyway, it was time to enjoy my life and figure out what my next steps were.

Spoiler alert: I have too many things to write about my experience in Malta. When I arrived there, I didn’t expect that I was going to live so many meaningful and beautiful things, connected with terrific people. I felt emotions like my heart was brand new. I realized once again that I was alive and despite the Darkest moments, light always rises and shines.

Read here: My first week in Malta