I had been in Malta for two years and it was time to renew my residency. I went to Identity Malta and asked about renewing my self sufficiency status. They said no problem, just come in about six weeks before it expires (21 January). They gave me the same form I initially used and sent me on my way. The first week in December I appeared with the requested paperwork. The person handed me a different checklist and said I needed additional documentation. I said that's not the form that you gave me a month ago. Nor is that the documentation requested on your website. She said well I don't know anything about that but this is what you need. I said (in the nicest way possible) this is so typical that I've wasted an entire day. I showed up with the documentation you requested, both in person and clearly listed on the website, only to be told it was wrong. She said I'm sorry, gave me her email address and said I could make an appointment when I came back. Of course she never...

I spent Christmas in Denmark with Mic, his mom Tove and dad Jørn.   When we arrived in Copenhagen, the weather was unseasonably warm and sunny; for Denmark that is.  To us it was still pretty cold. We had booked an Airbnb a block from his mom's apartment. It was my first Airbnb experience and it was quite interesting.  We arranged to meet the guy at 11 am and he assured us somebody would be home.  As has too often been our luck, no one was there. We tried calling and texting and were on the verge of going straight to his mom's when somebody finally opened the door. The guy was seeing a lady friend out and had clearly just rolled out of bed.   How they slept through the doorbell I have no idea. We rang it multiple times and for a long time.   He said he didn't expect us till 11 p.m.  The room was actually really nice.  It was a large living room with a bed in the corner. After settling in, we headed over to Tove's for a nice afternoon o...