September 12, 2008 - a day in Nicosia

Before I begin, I want to comment on Anita's blog - I just read her additions since we arrived in Cyprus. I hope some of you are reading hers as well as mine. She is seeing things on this trip as I did in 1990 and 1993. Her impressions are unique because she has not expected anything. Some activities and thoughts that she has included are really important because they complement my stories. Her blog is at adventureswithanita.blogspot.com- read it to get a complete accounting of our adventures.

Yesterday was a day of appointments - visiting relatives who will be away this weekend, shopping for last minute things we still want, and all those last minute chores that simply must be completed.

Liz picked us up a little before 10 - I was finishing yesterday's entry and quickly gathered my stuff to join her and Anita at the car. George did not join us for this day's adventures. (Incidentally, my Palm shows that the 12th is Defender's Day in Maryland as well as International Video Games Day - hope you enjoyed one or the other.)

Our first stop was at Liz's office to meet her coworkers and the husband and wife who own the business, which is named THE BEST - cleaning and maintenance services. Liz manages the records for accounts, payables and billing. We spoke briefly with the owner and his wife who co-manage. We also met a couple of the supervisors who manage the cleaning crews as they were leaving to check the daily assignments. And Liz spent some time with one employee who has been trying to manage the most important items on Liz's desk while she has been with us. Of course, we thanked Liz's employers for giving her the time to spend with us - brownie points for Liz we hope.

Next was a stop at Mike's house to spend some time with him (Liz's twin brother is an email buddy of mine). Liz had told us he has been diagnosed with early Alzheimers and is taking medications that seem to be helping him remain focused. As is usual, his wife served snacks of sweet cookies and savory pastries filled with cheese, sausage and minced olives. With all the food we have been served, we are hardly hungry when meal times arrive. Mike shared photos of his children, grandchildren, and his beloved dog ERIC who was killed about 3 years ago by an auto right in front of the home. Mike and his wife were leaving for a weekend in Paphos so our goodbyes needed to be in the morning.

Then into old Nicosia again as Anita decided she really did want the red earrings she passed on yesterday. And while she was looking (with my help) she found some others she ultimately purchased. We are both really conscious about how little room we have more more 'stuff', so these little earrings seemed OK. Liz was also encouraged to purchase a few more red items to finish the ensemble she began yesterday.

A stop at the grocery to purchase items for George while we are in Larnaka was next. We leave on Sunday and will remain there until our flight on Tuesday afternoon. Liz had also confirmed that we would be able to purchase Cypriot sweets to bring home with us. However the jars were larger than we had hoped, so I also purchased some plastic storage containers to protect the glass jars. Panos will help me package them so the labels on the jars are still visible and tape the jars and the plastic containers to stop the spread of the sticky honey-laced liquid the sweets are in, just in case! We also purchased small plastic coin organizers for all the types of coins used with the Euro currency. I think it may work with American coins as well after I get home.

When we reached Liz's home we unpacked and had a bit of lunch since it was almost 2 pm. We purchased food cooked and in packages, so all we needed to do was set the table. George did not join us, and went to the bedroom to watch TV with the airconditioner on. We sat on the terrace where the breeze was blowing and the sun was light as it came through the overhanging trees.





Liz's older sister Stavroulla lives next door so we walked to her house, had more food (grapes and nectarines, only, thank goodness) while we chatted with her. On her last trip to the US to visit her son who lives in Virginia, she visited Williamsburg and was quite enchanted with the experience. Her husband Vasillos really enjoyed Atlantic City, as did Roulla. We all agreed that gambling must be done knowing that you will lose, and that you must be prepared to stop at the limit you have set.

Anita has been curious about Liz's wedding with George and her marriage to Pericles and asked to see some photo album. She also asked for some photos of Liz and me when we were seniors in high school, so when we returned to Liz's home we sat and meandered down memory lane. I was amazed to see and remember my life with Liz when she was the foreign exchange student. Mom and Dad, my brother and other relatives and friends were all in her photos. Some of the other friends she made through the AFS program were there as well. Anita's curiosity was satisfied and Liz and I reconnected in a way we had not done for a long time. Anita's request was an excellent one!

Finally it was time for Liz to take us to our home-away-from-home. She and Anita want to go to Larnaca tomorrow. I am not as interested as I am concerned about fitting everything into my suitcases, especially the three jars of Cypriot sweets we purchased today. So we are in the midst of a compromise - Anita will work on her blog tonight while I begin sorting and packing my stuff. She will pack tomorrow morning while I work on the computer. And if we finish in time to go to Larnaka and be back in time for a final dinner with George, we may go to Larnaca for the afternoon. George will not be coming with us so we will say our goodbyes with him on Saturday evening.