It was just too nice to remain inside today - in the midst of Cypriot winter with temperatures reaching lows of just under 10ºC at night and rising to 13ºC during the day - we feel for our friends who are experiencing the bitter cold of the prairies! The absence of the much needed rain, continues to plague Cyprus with water rationing on the horizon. Interesting, isn't it? Here we are, a small island in the huge Mediterranean Sea, with no place on the island being more than 45 minutes from the shores, and we suffer from a shortage of water. The existing desalination plants are just not able to keep up so two more are on the drawing board but will arrive too late to save this round of severe cutbacks! Please pass the deodorant and after shave!!!
We left our apartment and walked to the butcher shop about 15 minutes away - yes the old fashioned type where there are carcases hanging around - this one pork, that one lamb, and the one over there is beef, while the display case is full of chickens. When it is finally my turn the first question is . . . do you speak English? With that affirmatively answered we can start to make our list known - two pork chops - yes, those with the tenderloin attached; and one large chicken for roasting - so we can have leftovers for sandwiches and another meal; that beef . . . do you have two slices like that? He lifts the one from the display case and picks up a piece of beef from which he cuts another, lifting it to see if I approve. Then into the bag and placed on the counter, asking if there is anything else. I mention stewing beef and he shakes his head, marches off to pick up a different piece of beef which he dutifully cuts up into the required cubes! I pay for the lot and walk up the street to join Marian who immediately asks, “Did you get some ground beef?” NO! The one thing we needed and I forgot - so much for my shopping ability from memory!
As we need to put the meat in the freezer but do need a few fresh veggies, we stop across the road from the flat and enter the 'supermarket' - in name only since it would better be described as a corner store - in the old fashioned sense with a good supply of everyday needs in the grocery category! Celery is sold here with all the leaves on so when you buy one, it fills a bag - delicious - much more tender than the Canadian brother which has been so genetically altered so that it can stand the long hours of transit that it ressembles its Cypriot cousin in name only! Soups seem to thrive on the celery leaves along with other vegetables. Marian selects half a dozen potatoes - wonderful here in Cyprus - large and very tasty - unfortunately for me! But we did enjoy one together this afternoon down town - in the jacket they say - baked to Canadians - with baked beans and cheese on top! Delicious. A few other sundries and we move to exit the store only to be met by Christodolou - my friend from up stairs!
We met last fall and he is an older retired gentleman who frequents the taverna across the road so some evenings we sit and chat. He informs me that he has arranged for us to go and get some olive oil directly where it is pressed or they will deliver it to us - fresh never was like this, was it? I ask him if he has been able to get into the book which I brought him from Canada. Prior to returning to Canada I asked if I could bring him something when I return. He asked for a commentary on the whole BIble which I was pleased to bring with me. He answered that he had started it and found it very didactic! Yes, you do have a dictionary but just in case - here is what that means - “adjective; intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive : a didactic novel that set out to expose social injustice.” He was overjoyed with it and since this was the first time Marian had seen him since our return she greeted him with “Happy New Year” to which he responded, “You are happy having seen your daughter and children, your grandchildren.” When I inserted that we had 8 and one on the way he said, “And I am number ten!”
After a stop to put things in the fridge, we were off again towards the cenre of town this time. As we passed a pharmacy I entered asking if they had anything which we could use to minimize Marian's foot pain. We were kindly told that there was a man on Ledra Street who specialized in such problems. As we wended our way there we found it true that he did know about relieving foot problems - when he checked Marian's feet he said to her, “You will leave here in comfort.” There was certainly an improvement, after selecting the correct shoe support, and he would like to see her again to discuss further options. Thank you Lord for small blessings!
I think that is probably a sufficient update, at least about the interesting things in our lives for this week. Some have written about the picture below which I posted last week - who is who and who belongs to whom?
So, from left to right in order:
Elliot aged 3.5 son of Andrew and Christine of Toronto
Rachel aged 4.5 second daughter of Michael and Amy of Owen Sound
Mae aged 1.5 daughter of Tim and Jessica of Waterloo
Imogen aged 5.5 daughter of Andrew and Christine
Adriel aged 7 months second son of Andrew and Christine
Nolan aged 3.5 son of Tim and Jessica
Sarah aged 6.5 first daughter of Michael and Amy
Calvin aged 2 son of Michael and Amy
Hope that helps and have a good week.
David
posted by David & Marian Sloss @ 6:00 AM
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