Discovering our city

When exploring Limassol city center by foot we discover new things every time. A cozy café, old mudbrick houses, inspiring handicraft boutiques, a field (yes, a field), historical monuments, rough corrugated steele garages with tyres piled up in the sun, magnificent abandoned decayed houses, to mention some. 

A lot of construction work is currently going on in the area. Probably well needed. I assume the city being so vivid and beautiful located by the sea it's also preparing for European Captial of Culture 2017. 

Wandering the other day we discovered the Limassol Municipal Market hall with the adjacent Saripolou Square, a great outdoor plaza with several restaurants and cafés. Loved it, and already regulars at Petros café at the plaza.

1. Inspiring mosaic art in a shop window near the market.
2. Cool guys munching grilled σαντουιτς with χαμ and halloumi. How I enjoy those anglo-greek words.
5, Cypriot sweet bananas.
6. I love figs!
7. Lots of locally produced veggies.
8. Oh look, my dear friend Niki's sweets.
9. Cypriots seems to love farming, picking and eating snails.

High and low

I think October is my favourite month so far. The weather is really fabulous, warm but not too hot. A great reward, when enduring a really slow settling process. It's great that school and kindergarden at least been checked off from the new life in Cyprus list. Otherwise most is about watching the rapid growth of our smallest active little boy, the daugthers progress with greek language and making sure middle kid typically isn't missing our attention. There's also been some large events in the family, both sad and happy, bringing the family together. A funeral, memorial and a large wedding. We've also enjoyed seeing some of my family and friends from Sweden here in Cyprus. But perhaps tomorrow there will be more progress in the settling process, don't you think?


- Pictures above from Limassol Municipal Garden, first by daughter. That tree is a huge cactus, btw.
- Love this and this scarf collection by milleneufcentquatrevingquatre, via Design for Mankind.

- Great collages. via butdoesitfloat.

No beach bars

Over bumpy roads we went to explore the beaches on the west side of Akrotiri peninsula. Knowing we wouldn't be finding any beach bars, nor shelter we had packed our bags with foods, drinks and sun lotion.

The trip was precisely the level of adventure our small children family would apprechiate. There where sand dunes, desert turquoise beaches and lagoons, beachrock, ship wrecks and turtle nests and more.

Lots of eye candy for me (sorry for all the pics in this post). Not twilight like one previous trip to Akrotiri, just overwhelmingly interesting nature. And not too far home again. Definitely a keeper in terms of cool day trips if in Limassol area.

Perfect summer lunch (or dinner)

When it's warm I think I prefer cold food for lunch. I find it great how it's possible to combine many favourite foods and and make the whole a lot better. Normally I'm not particularly fond of mixing different foods too much. A buffé for example makes me nervous. My favourite cold summer plate probably contains fresh fruits and vegetables, small fishes in oil, a dip like hot cheese salad, few slices of charcuterie, pitta bread and perhaps sliced cheese. Sweet, sour, salt and optionally hot.

Tomorrow 15 August is an important public holiday in Cyprus when most of Cypriots will be escaping the heat to the chillier mountain villages.

The Tale of the Cypriot cats

First time we drove around Akrotiri peninsula was a few weeks ago. It's a quite weird place if I may say, but in a positive way. A twilight positive way.

There's the unusual nature, so fascinating with all the green such as the large pine tree avenues, a huge salt lake, a desert like area used for rally, and the popular Ladys Miles beach. Then, as it is British base area, there's all kinds of impressive military things and a lot of huge planes lifting and landing that are mostly erased from Google earth and forbidden to photograph. So I won't go into detail on these things here.

Also there's some historical stuff, for example the Holy Monastery of St Nicholas of the Cats, which I've been curious to visit for years. Behind it is the tale of the special Cypriot cats Cyprus shorthair.

For me it all started with my uncle in Limassol who always used to attract the neighbour cats through calling for them with a 'ts ts' or tapping with his foot on the ground. From the shadows they immediately emerged and where prancing around him while he was stroking them with his foot.

He called these tiny skinny cats with their characteristic Egyptian style profile 'his cats'. During summers while we where staying with his family they where also 'our cats', especially the kittens.

Eventually I heard the story of how these ravishing cats arrived to the island, brought by some prominent person a long time ago from Egypt. This story has been dwelling in my mind ever since.

So this day we finally got to visit the monastery, which today appeared to be a nunnery with a church containing beautiful icons, fabulous colonades and of course plenty of cats. Nothing spectacular but still interesting.

This afternoon we continued to the popular Lady's Miles Beach where practically every Limassolian seem to be hanging out during weekends. Some people are getting there by boat, some are bringing pavillions and chairs, others are more focused on water sporting. We had a date with my dear cousin with family, the daugther of my cat-loving uncle, and had a lovely time together chilling out.

At sunset we headed to the parking to start our drive back home when this colourful ice-cream car drove to where we where standing. Could we say no to the kids? Well they had some softies while we chatted with this super enthusiastic elderly Brittish man. He was almost surreal. In a twilight way.

Limassol by night

Some evenings it's just nice enjoying sun set strolling along the promenade in Limassol city center. The smell of grilled corncobs spreading in the air evokes childhood memories, from my early summers spent in Cyprus.

Like the sweet fried honey and rosewater scented loukomades, which are best enjoyed hot from one big plate in good company. A popular evening pastime for a rich mix of people, mostly Cypriots of course, while not so many tourists it seems.


Many children are brought by their parents for an evening dip in the sea before bedtime. As the darkness falls it is great to look at the huge boats with hundreds of lamps lit anchored a bit out in the Mediterranean horizon.

It is nice sipping a cold drink at one of the over popular beach bars. But the best thing about the promenade really is just walking, walking and walking. Which I can't get enough of in this car bound city.

Unrelated:

• Over the last months really good friends, always ready to bring clarity in an otherwise bitwise confusing situation, has proven to be the overly awesome google translate and google earth.
• Kinda inspired by this wall hanging sort of digital style.
• And this wall clock would be great simply as a clock. Please put in production asap.
  

Up to no good (ok, not me)

Outside Limassol District Administration Office we found this beautiful memorial which was installed in honour of the 13 Cypriots who lost their lives in the huge blast at Evangelos Florakis Naval Base. Just a few days after the so unnecessary accident that also destroyed 60 % of Cyprus energy supply.

We are affected by the incident, but not worse than can be managed. To avoid getting stuck in the elevator during the approx two daily electricity cuts á 2.5 hours we're carrying the baby trolley as well as the grocery goods up the stairs. And we can't have a frappé whenever we want, but that's about it. What's perhaps worse is the lack of trust in the current regime that we experience among people here unfortunately.

While dwelling in the no good:s subject; farewell to you Amy Winehouse, it was way too soon.
And, wishing you Norway a healthy recovery after the terrorist actions outside Oslo.
Phew, that was a bunch of heavy topics.

Now I'm off for an ice cold drink on the balcony in the warm evening breeze. See ya!

Without reservations

In a new home country, still with no own home though. Trying to be cool, keeping searching for that place to call our home. Enjoying life as good as we can while getting there. Nobody said it was going to be easy, but doubtfulness is for pussies.







1. IKEA Åsunden, bathroom accessories.
2. Machine-sewn airy linen towels, by me.
3. Heavenly peaches from local grocery store.
4. Gorgeous Almond snacks by ΚΛΗΡIΔΗ (with no web presence, as it seems).
5. Kids favourite teddies wearing Barbie clothes - big sis style - adored by big bro.

Siga siga

My arms are crab red after the first day with sleeveless plus a spontaneous lunch at the seaside. There's a lot to sort these days. Between every day life in Sweden and every day life in Cyprus, it's comforting to get a first delivery of the softest yarn, a cashmere/silk mix in tea leaves colour smelling awesome.

And as a bonus we finally know how to get to our local parcel post office. A few days earlier the adorable supermarket owner had dechiffered the vague stamp on the parcels delivery slip, all in Greek, which appeared to indicate the address.

And the following day a gentleman helped us so kindly when we where lost to find the exact location of the office. He drove before us showing the way to the office, which appeared to have closed for the day.

It is this kind of hard gained knowledge that slowly helps us getting closer. Closer to everyday life in Cyprus.

Another day between some errands we jumped into an art equipment shop. I got some soft pastels which I've been anxious to try out for some while.

While the after sun lotion was soaking into my grilled arms this afternoon, I got the chance to fiddle a little with my crayons while eating half a dozen of tasty figs from the local supermarket.

Lamps I like.
The sketchbook I need.
Chewy lemon cookies (or these) I want to make.

Landing slowly

After more than two weeks on the island we hit the beach first time. The premiere for Eddie. Contrasting to the otherwise car bound life here, where kids are transported even to the loo, the beach is without doubt the best playground ever for three energetic kids.

Lots of shells, jumping over the waves, rounded marbles and bugs. But also some turtle poo poo, making you imagine the sea turtles slowly rising from the sea for some night chill out on the beach.

Can we say we have landed now? Well, after yesterdays souvlaki and sheftalia bbq for sure a little more.


UNIFORM sale.
Graham crackers: plain, w honey, by Martha.
Packable hats: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Sand and Popcorn trees.

This morning everything outdoors, including our black car, was covered with sand coming with the winds from the Sahara desert. This isn't in any way rare in the mediterranian region, and makes you aware of the closeness to the African continent. The dust can actually still be felt in the air this afternoon.

While still carless we've explored nearby areas by foot, which is an adventure in itself with kids. We've tried out a few souvlaki places, found a little park which sadly was covered with broken glass and trash, chatted in English with locals, tried out local groceries which is one of the first thing I like to do when in a new place and of course admired the fascinating nature here.

One day on our way to the park, to the kids amusement, we discovered a popcorn tree and in the park a miniature cactus growing out from the pavement. But otherwhise the kids are quite bored by now. We still have so much to arrange with before we can feel settled here, but for sure one of the first thing now when we have a car is to go to the beach. And, put the kids as well as myself into some greek training.

Busy with all the arranging, there hasn't been much handcrafted here. But I'm so grateful for all the inspiration I get from reading the many blogs I feed on.

The other day I was amazed by the thought of an idea transformed into various forms, using different techniques and materials. Like these flowers à la Tiny Happy Melissa; on aquarells : now on fabric. Or the typical cubistic figures or patterns by Karen Barbé; sketched : now cross stitched. Oh, and have you seen this sweet bunny by Laura Twiss; as a sketch : an application : a softie. Just great.

Complex geometries via Assemblage.
Quince recipes: Paste, Marmalade, Jam, Biscuit Pie.

High five

Far away from his friends his fifth birthday didn't perhaps turn out as he had expected. But he seemed to enjoy visiting Limassol Castle and he had chocolate cake. Our handsome wise little man, our insect seeker and bookworm.



Linen bath towel by Bath Style.
Limoncello recipes; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
The Culturist.

Our adventure has just begun

For a long time me and husband had dreamt about changing climate. Pondering different destinations, until we one day agreed Cyprus could be a suitable option. The little island in the mediterranean near three continents. An old English colony, a lot of interesting history, beautiful nature, and my father came from this island. So it was put into plans, and now finally into action.

We're in Cyprus now since a few days, looking forward to experiencing everyday life here. There's a lot to arrange obviously, and luckily we're adapting quite easily to the Cyprus pace. And Jannos, my dear cousin, has been an invaluable help these first days.









En epic moment, in the early morning of the day of our moving, was when I found a photo of my late yiayia Elena stuck in the baseboard with face against the white wall. It was as if she wanted to give us her blessing. These first days we're taking things as they come, we haven't yet been to the beaches or to the big cities, except for some errands. We've temporarily crashed in an apartment in Ypsonas, in Limassol area, while looking for a house and are just getting started with our new lives in the east Mediterranean.

Foodful art.
Thoughtful art.
Eclair recipes: 1, 2, 3.
Time Out Cyprus.