The Curious Neighbours

We've got these neighbours across the road from our apartment.  In the summer we called them the Curious Neighbours because every day they would stand out on their little balcony looking down onto the street.  Three women and (sometimes) a  man, middle-aged to women-of-a-certain-aged.  Every time somebody would come down the street the necks would crane, slowly tracking the unwitting pedestrian as he or she went by.  Were said pedestrian to do something such as throw a crisp packet onto the ground or leave bins out on a non-bin day, they would receive a verbal reprimand from above.  If the person was known to one or all of the Curious Neighbours then a bellowed conversation would ensue, of varying lengths depending I presume upon the closeness of the relationship.


Well that was the summer, and in fairness to them it is cooler out on the balcony and there's little or nothing worth watching on TV.

Now, however, there have been developments.  They no longer come out onto the balcony, but instead engage in some of the LOUDEST and most sustained yelling and screaming matches it has ever been my privilege to hear.  It's normally an all-female affair, but from time to time the man of the house joins in.  I have no idea what they are arguing about since naturally these fights take place in Maltese, but am lost in admiration for the sheer ferocity and pitch which is maintained once they hit their stride.

Curious Neighbours, I salute you.