Anastasia

Christmas Past and Christmas Present

Christmas Eve invariably brings back happy memories of my childhood and adolescence.  As a child, I remember Dad getting us a tall pine tree - there were hardly any artificial Christmas trees in those days - and all the family together would help to put it up and decorate it. In the evening, mum prepared a special dinner consisting of various snacks, which we all enjoyed by the fireplace while listening to Christmas carols, often singing along. At 10 o'clock, both my brother and I had to go to bed or else Santa wouldn't visit. Terrified at the thought, we both went to bed on time after making sure there was some milk and Mum's delicious Christmas cookies by the tree for Santa.  

Then one rainy Christmas Eve, my five-year-old brother had a great idea: " How about waiting for Santa to come? It's raining and he might get wet.  We can dry his boots and clothes by the ashes of the fireplace while he's enjoying the milk and cookies! " I was only eight  but still believed in Santa... yet I had my doubts. " What if Santa doesn't visit? Mum and Dad said he'd never visit if we are awake!"  "Yes, but Mum and Dad would be very proud of us when we explain that we just wanted Santa to leave us in dry clothes!" , my brother replied. That was the end of a dream. We hid behind the curtains only to find out that Santa was ...Mum and Dad! They didn't even drink the milk or eat the cookies!

Me and my brother on Christmas Eve 1961

My most embarrassing Christmas Eve was in 1981.  I was still a student in Geneva, Switzerland when I decided to invite a few friends over. I promised them all that I'd cook .... canard  à l'orange  - a  traditional French dish.The duck is roasted and served with an orange sauce as well as with glazed chestnuts . Needless to say, I had no idea how to cook this and there was no Internet at the time.  Alkis was just a student at the hotel school , then, but he saved the situation ! He glazed the chestnuts and the carrots beautifully, roasted the duck in my mini Mulinex oven and made me feel I was the queen of French gastronomy! He also made  a Christmas log for dessert!

Me and Alkis on Christmas Eve 1976 - Geneva, Switzerland

This  Holiday Season , Alkis was at work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and he will be working on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, but I'm glad to spend these days with him at the hotel .

Me and Alkis on Christmas Eve 2015

Christmas at the Golden Bay Beach Hotel has always been a unique experience but it seems to me that this Christmas has been the best ever in more ways than one.  Everything was just perfect: the Christmas decorations, the music, the joyful festive atmosphere and the food! My mother and I joined Alkis early in the afternoon on Christmas Eve, had a light lunch and then went up to our rooms to take a nap and get ready for the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner while Alkis went back to work. After a hectic week at the school which ended merrily with the Christmas party last Tuesday afternoon,  it was the best way for me to start my Christmas break.

Christmas Eve 2015

The Christmas Eve menu was an amazing gourmet experience as the Executive Chef , Panayiotis Papacosta, went out of his way to create works of art. Here's what the  six -course festive menu consisted of:

Salmon Roulade on Lobster Potato Cake

Chicken Cream Soup

Duck Confit with Red Onions

Lemon Sherbet with Cointreau.

Baked Salmon with King Prawn, Vegetables, Pear Potato and Champagne Cream Sauce.

OR

Roast Young Turkey with Sage and Onion Stuffing, Winter Vegetables, Pear Potato and Foie Gras Sauce

OR

Slow Cooked Veal Fillet, Winter Vegetables, Fondant Potato and Nama Sauce.

White Chocolate Cheese Cake and Orange Crumble Tart.

Apart from the food, I was particularly impressed by the Home Band who played Christmas Carols throughout this exquisite dinner and later  helped us....burn some of the calories on the dance floor! 

Thessaloniki – August 2015

Thessaloniki, also known as the "Bride of Thermaicos" is the capital city of Macedonia in Northern Greece and the major port city of the Thermaic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Situated at about 520 km north of Athens, Thessaloniki is a bustling metropolis which bears the marks of its stormy history and is noted for its cosmopolitan character. Thessaloniki is also the host of the International Trade Fair and the International Film Festival held annually. What's more, the friendly, hospitable people have won my heart. On our holiday in Macedonia, Alkis and I spent three wonderful days in Thessaloniki. We stayed at our favourite hotel – Mediterranean Palace – a fine five-star hotel with reasonable prices, situated in the city centre.

The White Tower in Thessaloniki

 

DAY 1 – Monday, August 10

Thanassis, my brother-in-law, drove us to Thessaloniki from Serres. I was a bit disappointed because he didn't have lunch with us as he had to go back to Asprovalta where his family were spending their summer vacation.

Having checked in at Mediterranean Palace Hotel in the city centre, Alkis and I decided to have lunch at one of the many restaurants at "Ladadika". Well, it wasn't the best option but that was very near our hotel. In the afternoon, we had coffee at Aristotelous Square and then I shopped till I dropped! Poor Alkis! He was exhausted at the end of our shopping spree.

When we got back to the hotel, I realised to my horror that it was 7:30 pm. At 8:00 pm, we had arranged to meet Alkis' cousin Antonis and his wife Irini, at the bar of the hotel for an aperitif before going out for dinner. Alkis had a quick shower and was ready by 8 o'clock. He was such a darling! He didn't shout at me. He only said: "I'll be at the bar with Antonis and Irini. Please, don't be late." I was 20 minutes late! I apologised, of course, but Antonis and Irini gave me such a warm welcome and made me feel comfortable. We had a great night out in Thessaloniki!

DAY 2 – Tuesday, August 11

In Thessaloniki, we met Alkis's cousin Antonis and his wife Irini and we all set off to Veria and Edessa. First stop: Panagia Soumela on the outskirts of Veria.

The monastery of Virgin Mary Soumela

 

The monastery of Panagia Soumela (Virgin Mary Soumela) is very close to the village of Kastania, near Veria. It was built in 1951 by refugees from Pontos region that were trying to revive the monastery of Panagia Soumela, which was built on the mountain Mela near Trapezounta. In the monastery of Trapezounta was the miraculous painting of Virgin Mary Soumela. According to tradition, it was painted by Evangelist Luke himself. From the monastery, it was transferred to the Byzantine Museum, but when the monastery in Veria was built, it was transferred there. Since then, thousands of people have been travelling to the monastery to see the painting. In the monastery, you can also see a variety of ecclesiastical and historic relics and artefacts from the Greeks of Pontos region that were saved and brought to Greece. Special celebrations take place every year on the 15th of August, the day of the Assumption of Virgin Mary.

The Holy Icon of Virgin Mary Soumela

 

The monastery of Virgin Mary Soumela

 

The splendid view from the monastery

 

Kastania - Veria

 

We had coffee there and then drove on to Edessa - the capital of Pella in Central Macedonia, Edessa is renowned for its waterfalls. We stopped for lunch at Edessa Waterfalls.

The town of Edessa

 

Edessa

 

Lunch time - with Antonis and Irini

 

Traditional Greek Salad

 

Edessa Waterfalls

 

DAY 3 – Wednesday, August 12

Antonis and Irini picked us up soon after breakfast and set off for the Blue Lagoon Princess Hotel at Kalyves, Halkidiki – one hour drive from Thessaloniki. This is where we met our good, old friend Andreas Christodoulides, who is the manager of this amazing hotel resort. Both Alkis and I were so glad to meet Andreas after such a long time!

Kalyves Beach - Halkidiki

DAY 4 – Thursday, August 13

Thank God, I followed Alkis' advice and packed soon after our trip to Halkidiki. The two of us had a late night out in Thessaloniki, which left me reluctant to get up on Thursday morning. Finally, I managed to wake up at 8:00 am and after a hearty breakfast, Aegean Airlines safely flew us back home.

This was yet another fantastic holiday in Greece.

Serres, Greece – August 2015

Whenever I come back from a holiday in Greece, I am convinced that there is not one single part of this fantastic country that is not filled with unspeakable beauty. Greece is endowed with thousands of golden beaches, snow-capped mountains, caves and gorges, lakes reflecting in their waters all the splendour of the Greek landscape; not to mention 6000 islands which are scattered gems in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Macedonia, however, is by far a place of outstanding natural beauty. It's also my husband's homeland – this is why it has a very special place in my heart.

Ai Yiannis-Serres

 

Serres-Town Centre

 

Serres-Town Centre

 

 

Macedonia is a Greek region situated in northern Greece, gifted with endless greenery, fertile plains, roaring waterfalls, imposing mountains, and some of the country's most stunning beaches in the area of Halkidiki. I'll never have enough of Macedonia, however often I visit this blessed land.

DAY 1 – FRIDAY, 7 AUGUST

We flew Aegean Airlines, which safely landed us at Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki – the capital city of Macedonia. Thanassis, my brother-in-law, was there, waiting for us, and drove us to Serres – my husband's hometown. The journey by car takes about an hour, so by 1:00 pm we had already checked in at Elpida Hotel. We loved our room – a junior suite in two levels overlooking the pool. Soon afterwards, we had lunch followed by a short siesta at the hotel. In the evening, we had dinner at "Kataraktis" Restaurant in the area of Ai Yiannis. I was delighted to meet again my sister-in-law Evangelia as well as Yianoula – Evangelia's sister and her husband Babis. We had a fabulous evening and a great dinner. Unfortunately, I was so impressed by the landscape and the food that I completely forgot to take photos of all six of us!

Ai Yiannis Waterfalls

Katarraktis Restaurant - Ai Yiannis

Ai Yiannis

DAY 2 – SATURDAY, 8 AUGUST

We spent the whole day with our niece Zoe and her two adorable little girls. We met in the town centre and had "bougatsa" at one of the many cafés. "Bougatsa" is a kind of Greek pastry consisting of either semolina custard or cheese between layers of phyllo. Serres is renowned for its "bougatsa" throughout Greece. Serres is a modern, bustling town of more than 80,000 inhabitants – the second largest town in Macedonia after the capital city Thessaloniki.

Bougatsa

In the evening, we had a great night out at Koulas, which lasted till the early morning hours. The ancient and Byzantine acropolis of Koulas lies on an evergreen hill north of the town of Serres. It was named "Bes Koules" by the Turks during the Turkish occupation of the town (1383 – 1846). Hence the name Koulas.

DAY 3 – SUNDAY, 9 AUGUST

With 2,539 inhabitants, the village of Neo Souli lies at an altitude of 160 metres, at about 7km east of the town of Serres. It is a lovely, picturesque village which belongs to what the people of Serres call "dardanochoria." Neo Souli also boasts its local taverns, with tables on the street. Needless to say that the food was delicious! I wish we could stay longer in Serres. It's a magical town.

Neo Souli

My Love Affair with Protaras

No matter how often I spend a summer holiday at Protaras, I never seem to have enough of it. It's like a passionate lover I can't do without once I take a dip in  the clearest of waters feeling the sand beneath my toes like a velvety carpet.

Crystal-clear turquoise waters changing into deep blue early in the morning and turning into an amazing azure just before dusk, sandy beaches against a rugged landscape, incredible sunsets, romantic tavernas just a few steps away from the call of the sea. Boats restlessly come and go into the fishing shelter, loaded with fresh kalamari, sea bream, sea-bass, red mullet, red snapper. You can either buy the fish from the fisherman's boat or taste them in one of the many fish tavernas. Protaras is located on the outskirts of Paralimni, at about 60 km east of Larnaca. That's where I spent my last summer holiday last weekend - an invigorating and  relaxing weekend - at the Golden Coast Hotel - the jewel of Protaras - situated on the best sandy bay in the eastern Mediterranean,  just next to the fishing shelter.

I had been looking forward to this last holiday weekend before going back to work especially because I couldn't wait to meet Thanasis, my brother-in-law and Vaggelio, my sister-in-law, who had arrived from Serres, Greece. I was also very happy to meet again and welcome to Cyprus, Vaggelio's sister Yanoula and her husband, Babis.  I wish they had come one week earlier so that I could show them around, but on Monday I had to go back to work and start preparing the new school-year which is round the corner.

Protaras is for me a kind of love-affair. It's both physical and emotional probably because it reminds me of my beloved Famagusta, which has been under Turkish occupation for forty years now, and where I'd spend my summer holidays in my early teens.

My Mother

My mother and I don't always get along very well. More often than not, it seems that one of us is saying the wrong thing, presses the wrong buttons and, as a result, our conversations tend to be quite explosive! Yet, in our heart of hearts, we know that we love each other dearly. I always felt, though, that my dad could understand me more than any other person in the world - this is probably why I'll never get over his sudden death 10  years ago.

With my mum - Nicosia, September 1958

I've often had a rather strained relationship with my mother. She'd criticise almost everything - my hair, my clothes, my friends, my behaviour or attitude, my opinion on various issues, the way I decorate my flat, my flat in general - the list is endless! I strongly felt being under scrutiny and, as a result, I avoided sharing my secrets or troubles with her. On the other hand, I admit to my flaws. I'm kind of blunt and always speak my mind because I'd rather say something to somebody's face than behind their back. In other words, I'm not diplomatic! Our relationship improved a lot when I decided to see things from her point of view.

My mum - Christmas Eve 2004

I felt I could understand her better and eventually realised how much she cared and how wrong I was to pick on her. By appreciating the positive side of her character, I was able to connect with her and communicate much better. For example, she never meddled in my life, never made any comments whatsoever. On the contrary, she was a pattern of discretion. My mum is the sweetest and kindest person I've ever known. Despite her occasional criticisms, she's always been there for me offering her support in times of hardship and sharing my happiness in times of joy. Now I know that she's done an excellent job and I'll be forever thankful for all the sacrifices she's made for me and my brother.

On a summer holiday with my mother - August 2005

At 76 , my mum is an independent person, who lives on her own and has many hobbies and interests in her life such as going on day trips, cooking, reading, writing, charity, decorating to mention only a few. She's also the kindest person I've ever known. She always has a good word for everyone and when she can she helps others very willingly. I feel I owe her a lot - most importantly I owe her my life.

The Wrong Day

In Cyprus, we tend to celebrate name days more than birthdays.  According to the Greek Orthodox Church, a child should be named after a christian saint. Although in recent years, the Church no longer refuses to christen a child by the name the parents have chosen, most Greek Cypriots would name their children after a grandmother or a grandfather who's already got a christian orthodox name. Very often, not naming a child after a grandparent may lead to serious misunderstandings and arguments between parents and grandparents. As a result of this ritual, name days are very important here.

Yesterday was a terribly busy day at work for me, so I went to work much earlier than usual. It was 9:30 am when I suddenly remembered my mother's name day on the 25th. I had not even got a present for her! In a panic, I called Alkis and begged him to send some flowers to mum despite the fact that I knew he was jammed with work. He was preparing a meeting at that time, but he said he'd ask his secretary to arrange that. I emailed him the wishes for the greeting card and his secretary did not delay one minute to place the order.

Later in the morning, while I was planning lessons on Microsoft Outlook, I had a look at the date. It said: 25 October 2011. Oh no! My mother's name day is on 25 November! Saint Catherine's Day! No sooner had I realised that I sent mum flowers on the wrong day than I called Alkis back but ..he was at the meeting and his mobile phone was set to silent. I texted him hoping that he'd do something to stop the delivery of the flowers .

When he called me back, it was too late. The flowers had already been delivered. My mum called to thank me for the lovely surprise!  She thought the flowers were a birthday gift! When I told her that I had forgotten her birthday and that the flowers were meant for her name day, she laughed and said that  she loved both the ...surprise and the flowers!

The funny thing is that Alkis' secretary thought she'd call her cousin Catherine to wish her Happy Name Day. The cousin said: "Are you crazy, girl? My name day is in a month today!"

Have you ever done anything on the wrong day?

Our Wedding

Twenty-eight years have flown by since that sunny October Saturday when I  married my Prince Charming. We both lived and worked in Geneva, Switzerland then and most of our common friends lived  there as well. Most importantly, we had met and fallen in love in Switzerland.  So we decided to get married at the Orthodox Church of Chambesy in Geneva.  I also wanted to avoid the traditional Cyprus wedding where more than 2000 people are invited by the happy couple's parents! In Cyprus, after the church ceremony, a reception is usually held at a hotel during which the happy couple receives the wishes of hundreds and thousands of people - most of whom are complete strangers! But they're the parents' friends and relatives!!! After the hotel reception dinner is held  for close friends and family - usually about 300 people!

Most guests would give the happy couple an envelope containing money instead of a real present! Surely, by the end of the day all the wedding expenses have been paid off in addition to the fact that the happy couple can also purchase the house of their dreams. All this sounds like business to me and this is the only reason why I did not do my parents' favour and get married in Cyprus. In the end,  parents and close family accepted our decision and travelled to Switzerland for the wedding.

Our wedding reception was held at Le Parc des Eaux Vives  by lake Leman.  Alkis and I had a great time and so did our 73 guests.  A dinner was organised for our families and close friends but we did say that we wouldn't be there! We wanted to start our honeymoon and spend our first night as a married couple in the city where we first met - Fribourg. The following day, we set off to Falera - a small village in the Swiss Alps near Saint Moritz.

 

Twenty-eight years later, I feel blessed to have known so much happiness.  We had our ups and downs, bad and good moments but we've been through them together. This year, our wedding anniversary is on a Saturday and we are going to celebrate it just the two of us. Alkis said he'd surprise me!

A Valuable Possession

We sometimes tend to amass possessions - often without being aware of doing so. Indeed, we can have a delightful surprise when we find something useful which we forgot we owned. Unwanted objects are left in drawers, cupboards and attics for years, in the belief that we may one day need them. As we grow older, we accumulate belongings for three other reasons:

• Lack of physical and mental energy, both of which are essential in turning out and throwing away unwanted things.
• Lack of time or laziness
• Sentiment

I think I belong to the third category. I won't throw away things which are full of associations with the past - especially those things associated with relatives who passed away. These possessions gradually acquire for me a value beyond their true worth.

This brooch was offered to me by my grandmother a few months before she passed away. It's made of silver and a few semi-precious stones. But that's all my grandfather could afford when he married my grandmother. My grandma had always worn this brooch since her wedding day. And when she gave it to me, I felt I owned a valuable possession.

What's your most valuable possession?

Christmas Past

Trying to ...flame the Christmas Pudding

Christmas has always been my favourite time of year after the summer. As a little girl, I would help mum decorate the Christmas tree and make the traditional Christmas sweets - melomakarona and kourabiedes. On Christmas day all the family would gather together at mum's. I can still picture me sitting on grandma's lap , asking for yet another Christmas story....Mum would then serve champagne and canapés in the shape of Christmas stars or Christmas bells which prepared the palate for the festive lunch.

What mum named "Christmas Village" - made of chocolate, sugar and fresh cream inside the little houses.

A Christmas starter: king prawns decorating an edible Christmas tree. 

After lunch, the Christmas cake was served in the living-room with coffee and liqueurs while we'd open up our presents which had been placed under the Christmas tree a couple of weeks before Christmas - all bearing the label "Don't open before Christmas". I remember how anxious I was to open them before Christmas but mum said that if I did, Santa would never again bring me any presents at all. Terrified at the thought of Santa's wrath, I would sit on the floor by the Christmas tree contemplating the nicely wrapped boxes..trying to guess or imagine what was in them.

 

Nothing much has changed through time as I still anticipate Christmas with the wonderment of a little girl. 

May the beauty of Christmas bring you all special happiness and a special time to keep in touch and say how much we care.

Merry Christmas!   

Divorce - A Blessing or a Curse?

Photo Credit

Not as long as 20 years ago, divorce was rare in Cyprus. If a married couple had problems, they'd talk and search a solution or they'd compromise for their children's sake. In the last five years or so, divorce rates have rocketed in Cyprus! One in three file for divorce and this tends to affect older ages as well. The other day, someone came to the school to repair something. His mobile phone rang. He said:"Sorry, it's my wife." (He meant his ex wife).

Although I hate people talking on the phone for personal reasons while at work, I told him that it was ok. When he hung up, he apologised again and went on to tell me this: " I'm 51 and my wife is 46, but we decided to get a divorce." Of course, as he opened up, I asked him why. He said their children were to blame. He insisted that they caused their parents to get a divorce. When I asked him how old their children were, he said they were 12 and 14! I was shocked!

Children are not to blame for their parents' divorce! They are not responsible for their parents' problems. But if a couple can't live together, regardless of the reasons why, it is much better for their children to get a divorce. However, both parents together should explain to their children that they divorce because they (the parents) have problems and assure their kids that they'll always have two parents.

To me divorce is a blessing if there are children. Children should be spared all this -  if not through compromise, through sincere parents who will take the time to talk to their children and explain why they are divorcing. .

And please let me repeat this:

No child is responsible for their parents' divorce!

Your thoughts are very welcome as always.