Reflections on a holiday from home

Anna not quite 'engaged' with the
whole snow concept!

I wasn't expecting to live in this not very attractive city on the edge of Europe and take holidays at home.  If this had been suggested 6 months ago; it would not have got my vote.  However, as the year went on, as Ross' travel schedule became hard to follow and we all became involved in more activities; I think we all just grew weary.  By the time December rolled by, the thought of just hanging out and relaxing as a family  became very appealing.  Hence this blog.

So, what did we do?  Only one week into the school term and it feels like a blur already.  Perhaps a few photos will spark my memory.  Ah yes, the Camel Park.  Jessie, Angus and Sam were all dead keen to ride a real live camel......that is; until they sat on it and the camel stood up.  Anybody who has partaken of this delightful experience would well know that the 'rise up' from the camels sitting to standing position is nothing short of a LURCH.  Following that rather scary experience one finds themselves up a great deal higher than expected riding a wobbly legged camel who just might be a tad hard to 'bond' with.

As you can see from the picture above; Sam was completely freaked out by the mere movement of the camel and was not keen on persevering with the bonding process.  Much to Jessie's horror, it only took a few of Sam's deafening screams to 'rattle' the camel and before we knew it, the camel was doing his own thing.  A number of twisted zig zag steps and a lot of resistance to the trail leader's insistence that he sit back down again resulted in more pleading cries "I want to get off!"  Meanwhile, Angus and his two Egyptian mates, were oblivious to the spectacle and Ross & I had to smother our laughing because the entire scene was becoming more than comical.  Of course, having had a horse run off with me on it when I was young, I quickly identified with the possibility of exposing Sam to a life-long fear of all large and furry four-legged animals.  So, when it was clear that this wasn't going to be the character building moment that it could have been, we ran to his aid and helped him down.  That left one empty camel on a trail ride which I wasn't prepared to pass up.  All things well that end well!

The rest of the day passed fairly smoothly with us all enjoying the company of an Egyptian family we have come to know; they live close by and also have a couple of energetic young boys.  On the way home, we stumbled across a village with a beautiful old Orthodox church and an enormous open area for the community beside it.

To top it off for the kids,
we came across this amazing play park as well.

The rest of the days passed nicely; a picnic with some other families, casual trips to the park, a noisy play-over and last but not least; A TRIP TO THE SNOW.


When we invited Monica to join us so that she could see snow for the first time, she jumped at the opportunity.  We drove up the mountain, all 7 of us, watching the temperature gauge decrease and taking guesses as to who would hit the jack-pot of the coldest temp. and who was going to see the snow first.  When it was 1 degree and we were 1 km from the ski resort, the snow began to fall and the road became white.  Yeehah - SNOW!  We drove to where we could park near the village and all got out with our beanies & gloves on.  Everybody was happy EXCEPT ANNA.  I know she'll read this when she's older and curse me for writing it but I cannot tell a lie.  Anna was IMPOSSIBLE.  She didn't want any warm gear on and she cried non-stop for the entire time we played around in the snow.  With the 3 adults trying to appease her between snow ball fights and the other kids having a ball, we were not so disappointed when Jessie, Angus and Sam found themselves getting cold & wet and begging to go back to the car.


A second trip one week later, just for the boys, proved to be much more successful in terms of activity.  As you can see from the pics, Sam had a fun time on the sled and Angus fulfilled a long held dream of finally getting to ride a snowboard.  The first of many more trips we hope.

We hope you've had some good relaxing down time; perhaps with a bit of reflection on 2011.  My brief thoughts on the year that has passed are:

1. Yes, it really does take a full year to settle into a new place.  It's not until you get to the end of it that you realize what an up and down process it is.  I have experienced homesickness much more than I anticipated.  Now that this has largely passed however, I'm just glad & thankful we've all made it through in one piece.  Although immensely exciting at times, it has occurred to us more than once that this move was huge.
2.  I consider myself a more alert driver than perhaps I was in Australia but sadly I am not as humble.  Just like all the Cypriots here, I can be hot-headed and intolerant.  I love using my horn when it's warranted and the odd glare into the next car saying "that wasn't MY fault!" is something I'm not proud of.  I call it "blending in".
3. Having a maid is good and bad.  To say it was "an adjustment" for me would be an understatement. How do you go from doing everything in your home to almost needing to do nothing? And then finding that perhaps it's not done quite the way you would want it?  And then wondering how to motivate kids to do their own chores when it's clear that if they don't do it there IS a little fairy who will pick up after them?  Don't get me started here; one day I'll fill up a whole blog on it.
4. On the up side; not being so busy and tired has left room for other things.  More play time with the kids, more focus on us as a family, more relax time in the evenings with Ross and, perhaps some time to build friendships without interruption. As far as lifestyle goes, there has been some improvement for us here.  Something we can work on when we return to Australia. 
5. I have to say this: Skype is a wonderful invention.  Some calls have really picked me up.
6. Greek is a fascinating language but I quit.
7. Cyprus could be so much more if only they would embrace the great array of foreigners here.  
8. The summers are really VERY hot but the beaches around the island, in all their diversity, provide great relief and are truly magnificent.
9. Kids are amazing in how they adjust.  So temporal; just living for the day.
10. I'm glad we are here.  The opportunity to be involved in life changing programs for the disadvantaged is a real privilege.  Sometimes I would love to be more an active part of this but, in a sense, I am and perhaps being there for my kids is more important right now for the longer term.

The Baptism of the Cross

Last Friday (6th Jan) was a public holiday to mark ἐπιφάνεια (the Epiphany). This is an Orthodox tradition marking the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River and also his physical manifestation on earth.  It also marks the end of a season where there is a traditional ban on sailing, upheld because of a belief that the winter seas are beset by 'mischief-prone goblins' who torment sailors and fishermen through the festive season.  The main tradition around the Epiphany involves a ceremony called the blessing of the waters, which starts with a long church service followed by a procession to the nearest body of water.  The priest then blesses the waters, by throwing a cross into the water.  Where swimming is possible, a number of young men then dive into the water to try to recover the cross.  The person who gets the cross and returns it to the priest then receives a special blessing for him and his family.  

The tradition takes place in most Greek villages and communities in Cyprus on the 6th January.  We travelled down to Aiga Napa to watch the proceedings.  Aiga Napa is normally a heaving tourist town in summer, but is very sleepy mid winter.  It was fascinating to see a large crowd of locals and tourists gather for the ceremony.  Cypriot locals, easily recognisable by the suits, black leather and heels gathered alongside sun worshiping Brits and Germans who remain in Aiga Napa for their fix of vitamin D while the rest of Europe freezes.  


After some waiting around the procession arrived and the ceremony began.  We had imagined that the priest might give the cross a good throw out into the harbour and make it more of a challenge for the young men who had gathered to claim the prize. Alas it was more of a half hearted toss, but the vigour of the young men who dived in immediately following made up for any lack of a decent throwing arm on the part of the priest.  Perhaps this is occupational health and safety Cyprus-style??   In the end the cross was thrown three times, a different victor recovering the cross each time.  

Ready to go......

They're off......

And victory, as the cross is recovered

We really enjoyed the chance to view this tradition, as it's not always easy to be a part of the many Orthodox traditions and feasts on the island.  Following the ceremony we had a quick milkshake followed by a vigorous bounce on a jumping castle for Anna.......resulting in the subsequent loss of the said milkshake all over the Aiga Napa sidewalk.  Child number four, you'd think we would have learned by now! 


Happy new year.

The icon of Jesus' baptism is carried to the water

Occupy the Buffer Zone

About 2 months ago a group of Greek and Turkish Cypriots gathered in the UN buffer zone dividing north and south Nicosia and set up a small protest camp, modelled on similar 'Occupy' movements in other cities around the world.  The protest and its related signage and graffiti makes for some interesting reading as you cross the buffer zone. The primary aim of the protest is to raise the profile of the Cyprus issue and to push for more concrete steps towards reunification.  Broader themes around capitalism and anti-globalisation are also present.  As the buffer zone sits between Greek and Turkish checkpoints and is therefore UN territory, any push to conclude the protest or move things on will need to come from the UN.  There seems to be no movement in this regard, so as with the other 'Occupy' protests in cities like London and New York, it will be interesting to see how long things continue with the protest in Cyprus.

I have to confess to being challenged by the protests.  Part of me in my middle age stupor reacts with a view that says these ideals are far removed from reality, and that protesting is a futile exercise, or that the agendas of the protesting groups are so mired with various politics that the impact and focus of any message is blurred.  But another part of me is stirred and inspired whenever people have the conviction to make a stand for something with passion, regardless of whether I agree with the views being put forward.  


I think it was Churchill who said something along the lines of: "when a man is young, if he is not of the left there is something wrong with his heart, but when a man is old, if he is not of the right there is something wrong with his head".  This quote has always challenged me as I ponder the inexorable drift towards conservatism that comes with ageing!


Hope you enjoy being challenged by some of these images. 

Καλό Χριστούγεννα (Happy Christmas)

Nativity scene outside our local video store

It's two days before Christmas and the weather has turned cold again.  Some fresh snow on the Troodos mountains today, and everyone is rugged up again after some warmer weather over the last week. Church bells are ringing across city this evening as people head home for the Christmas weekend.  Tonight we went out to the old town for dinner and a walk.  We've enjoyed the festive atmosphere in Nicosia at this time of year, and also the fact that the lead up to Christmas hasn't been too busy.  

Cypriots don't recognise St Nicholas as Santa Claus, but rather Saint Basil, or Agios Vasilis.  Interesting to hear how this translates for some of the kids....just think 'Santa Claus is coming to town', but replace 'Santa Claus' for 'Saint Basil', and you get the general idea!  The bigger holiday here is actually New Years Day.  


The city is full of lights and signs that say ΧΡΟΝΙΑ ΠΟΛΛΑ, which is a new year's greeting.  The kids have had their various Christmas concerts over the last few weeks.  Sam put in a solid performance as Joseph last week in his pre-school show, including his one line of 'we are hungry, will you let us in'.  Delivered with good timing and poise, and a significant step forward in his from his single line in a church nativity play last year which consisted of one word 'GOLD' (he was one of the wise men).  Small but no doubt significant steps in his thesbian career.....  

A homily and blessing for the gymnastics concert??

Last night Jessie had a gymnastics concert.  We were somewhat bemused to arrive on time, all kids and parents were ready, but the show didn't start.  10mins late, 20 mins late, half and hour, and still waiting......  We're getting used to things working on Cypriot time (siga siga, or slowly slowly), but this was a little out of the normal.  Various announcements were made in Greek (which we couldn't understand), and it wasn't until the arrival of an official delegation from the Greek Orthodox Church that we realised the reason for the delay.   The Patriarch was ushered to the front in full robes, staff and regalia, whereupon he delivered a fairly long winded homily in Greek which we can only assume was some sort of blessing for the gymnastics show (as one typically does).  Perhaps preaching about the benefits of exercise for children, or praying for no injuries during the cartwheels and somersaults???  This was then followed by various speeches from other members of the delegation before the show finally got underway.  Suffice to say it was a good show and worth the wait, and we're pleased to say injury free for all the participating children.  The Lord does indeed work in mysterious ways!


May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ be with you and your family this Christmas.  


Καλό Χριστούγεννα!   love Ross, Sarah, Jessie, Angus, Sam and Anna

The park near our house

Jessie and Gus' Christmas concert

Keep your eyes on the conductor Sam!

A visit from downunder

The two Sarah's

This afternoon we said farewell to Ross' brother Bruce, his wife Jenny and their children Sarah, Anna and Ben.  They've been here for the last 10 days, and made the long trek from Australia just to visit Cyprus. It's been lovely to spend time together with family, and especially nice for the kids to reconnect.  Lots of time relaxing together, studying the intricacies of curling and ski jumping on eurosport, and also visiting different parts of the island.  Bruce, Jenny and family also managed a short side trip to Cairo, visiting the pyramids and avoiding the current civil unrest in the city!  They're now on their way back to Australia via Abu Dhabi.

Last Saturday we spent the morning out in the UN buffer zone where Angus plays soccer each week.  This included a visit to the old Nicosia international airport, which is a haunting in it's emptiness and serves as a reminder of the frozen conflict in Cyprus since 1974.  Ben was particularly intrepid and managed to get to the controls of an old abandoned Trident aircraft that still sits on the tarmac.  Later that day we crossed the border and travelled to Kyrenia.  Lunch by the harbour and then a visit to the old fortress.  It's well set up and has a very realistic torture chamber, complete with lifelike figures in various states of duress.  Not sure if the kids would go for this, but they loved it.  

Ben dreaming of flight.......!

We also spent time in the old town of Nicosia (on both the Greek and Turkish side), and the kids in particular enjoyed checking out the shops and Christmas lights.  Interestingly at one of the main crossing points between the Greek and Turkish sides, the UN buffer zone is currently the site of one of the 'occupy' protests that have occurred in other cities around the world.  Perhaps a future blog on this one.

Christmas is almost upon us, and in true Greek style Nicosia is serving up a range of faux Christmas and snow nativity scenes on many street corners.  Lights around the city are a big hit for the kids, and the park beside our house has been set up as a Christmas fair for the last few weekends, complete with fake snow, donkey rides, and a large Christmas tree which lights up at night.  The fact that the tree is surrounded by large rings of barbed wire at the base somewhat dampens the effect of a warm Christmas spirit!  So our weekends and weekdays are now full of Christmas carols in Greek and church bells every morning.  The festive season Greek style!

A visit to the mosque in North Nicosia

The two Anna's

A walk through Kyrenia

Bruce and Jenny

Uncle Bruce teaching Anna the finer points of pig shooting

Ben, Sarah and Anna in Cairo