I totally agree with your last sentence, but in my heart of hearts, as the new Cypriot generation emerges, I fear that it will be lost in the greed that is world wide.

We in the UK used to be able to go out without fear , never locking property, looking out for each other, 'being neighbourly', helping your fellows in need. Now it's every man for himself attitude.

Very sad. Best to keep a good memory I think, of what used to be.

 

I agree that the days of unlocked doors are gone but those things come and go with the economy so as it improves there will be less of it.

 

We went out for a Geocaching day today up into the hills.
We had found a cache near a lovely church down a little lane, picked a big bag of cherries on our way back to the car. The car was parked at a roadside shrine which had benches and a water fountain so we decided it would be a good place to stop for a coffee.
We had just got our flask out of the car when two cars pulled up with Cypriots in. They got out and washed themselves in t he fountain, said some prayers at the shrine and then sat down with us for a lovely chat, them in broken English, us in almonst non existant Greek while our dogs played together. It was a very pleasant interlude which made a nice day even better.

 

Another momment..



This reminds me of when we came to Cyprus on our honeymoon. On arrival at the village of Tochni, where we had never been before, we decided to buy some food from a nearby shop.
We went to change some travellers cheques at the local bank but it was closed. Thinking we might drive to the bank in Limassol, we were told by a local in the coffee shop that it was a public holiday for all banks. Seeing our disappointment he immediately gave us £20 Cyprus pounds, no questions asked, and when we inquired about paying it back...'avrio'.... with a shrug!
We stayed in the same village many times, and the Shepherd used to shout up to the apartment to give us fresh milk from his goats.

 

This was the shrine

 

Bee eaters

This magical moment came yesterday while up in the hills with our dog.
The air was full of bee eaters and I was able to get these lovely snaps of some.

 

When we go for a walk with our children in the villlage this is what we come home with! Lots of fresh fruit and veg given to us by the very friendly farmers. The kids love picking it themselves then enjoying it on the spot!

 

All of the produce above was in the basket of our push-chair! I never thought it would be used for this purpose

 

I had not signed in for a looong time and I had a really horrible day so reading this threat reminded me about the nice things in Cyprus.
Maybe I wont pack it all in today.

 

I was at seminar the other day and started talking with someone who as it turned out lived on the same block in New York as I did. She moved to Cyprus about ten years before I moved to that house so I had never met her but I know her family and she knows my husbands family.

 

Small world indeed,my brother in law in Cheshire was always going on about a restaurant in Buxton he visited and the owners were from Yorkshire a mean big place Yorkshire,took us 1 day walked in and owner said,beepbeep hell hey up Sandra,his family lived in same st as us and knocked about wi mi big brother,his sister was also in my class from school,na then.

 

I have not lived in Cyprus since Limassol in 1974.Went back to Paphos mid 1980s thinking about new life and opportunities with three young kids in tow.Not the best vacation.Rained for 7 full days!
Went back last year to Tersafanou near Larnaca.How friendly were they? Brilliant Cypriots as I ed!
Next morning Jayne and I walked for 2km for brecky. Gorged on meze as nothing in Tersafanou the night before so were both pretty famished.We had managed on mataxa the night before.
11AM after meze got groceries etc from local Spar ,Cypriot cafe staff went home to get their vehicle and took us back to our new digs , laden with carriers,typically no charge and would not take anything ,sorted us out with a Cyprus mobile with the locals as ours didnt work.Geat start.
Met a great Guy(ex pat) who took us here and there in his pick up truck every time he saw us ,took us to Larnaca on second day and we bought him a beer.He showed us best eating places and we had a great time,

Made good friends and reminded me why I long to go back and live!

 

Yes I agree Cyprus has many caring and helpful qualities. I could list several that UK would never dream of. Thank you for sharing that with us Hear hear!

 

Only in Cyprus

A very friendly donkey

 

Here is a "Only in Cyprus" moment. Can anyone caption it??

The thumbnail photo is kind of small so if you can't see it well the image link is here too.


http://www.cyprus101.com/photos/cle...om/photos/cleo_shahateet_paphos_cyprus_real_estate/images/2771015/original.aspx

 

That has to be titled... " Trolley Dash "

 

I love to see the little old men in the remote villages riding along the road on their rotavators going home for lunch
Sometimes even with a little trailer on the back with the wife in it.

 

20 years ago it would have been possible he was going to pick up the grandkids