The religion of Cyprus is Christan Orthodoxy, so we don’t pay any attention to the pope, our churches are colourful works of art, priests wear long robes and funny hats (no small feat in the summer weather), and this year – this weekend is Easter.
This means we get to eat the traditional flaounes, plus a whole lot of lamb cooked over charcoal, go to church at midnight if so inclined, and greet each other by saying Christos Anesti, or “Christ is risen”.
Additionally, because it’s a sunny weekend, Nicosia seemingly in its entirety migrates to the beach.
Ahman. (Oh dear).
It’s understandable though, and perhaps forgivable, because the weather is still cool enough to be enjoyable although the sun is warm and the sea is – as always – beautiful.
So we went for a stroll this morning and although the umbrellas on the beach were pretty much all occupied, things weren’t too crazy, the cats were cautious but still said “Hi” and for some reason the boardwalk was liberally sprinkled with German tourists who referred to everything as “Zeus”.
I was puzzled at first as I couldn’t figure out what the King of the gods in the Greek pantheon had to do with all this, and we are the island of Aphrodite (Venus if you want to get all Roman about it) anyway. Having said that, shouldn’t the Germans be a little more allied to Odin?
But then I remembered that in German, zeuss means “sweet”… so clearly I’m overdoing the theology here.
Happy Easter anyway.
