Fairly noisy excavation sounds this morning outside the Chinese restaurant across the road. Proves to be a large CAT digger accessing a sewer outside the restaurant. The only surprise here is that this isn’t a daily event given the very small diameter of the pipes involved, as seen in the major upheavels in the roads of Gazimagusa. Essentially, the diameter of the sewer pipes here, as in Greece, is about two inches, while in most of Europe and North America it’s twice that. Possible to translate into metric for those young enough not to engage in double think, but doesn’t improve matters any. J points out that a restaurant may have problems beyond the obvious (and, speaking of the obvious, everyone knows not to put toilet paper down the flush). But restaurants no doubt deal with more than household amounts of grease and food residue.
Both Carrefour/Sklavenitis have new sales beginning today and lasting into January. Used, at one point to be a relatively exciting time, when anyone able to plan effectively was well advised to buy their winter’s supply of liquor at a significant discount. Also little taste treat samples. Wine in disposable plastic wine glasses worth hanging onto as spares and on one occasion Bailey’s liqueur in little chocolate cups. Not really a fan of Bailey’s but it did create a pretty festive atmosphere, not really matched today by background music repeating “let it snow, let it snow”, as the outside temperature reaches the mid twenties. And the amazing savings somewhat less amazing than in the old days, though to be fair any of the liquor prices here would look pretty impressive in Canada.
We leave Carrefour and a car beeps and pulls over next to us. Almost ignore it, assuming it is unlikely to concern us. How many people do we know here? But it’s Kiki, afternoon receptionist at the Sunflower for the first ten years of our stays and a lovely, kind and warm person. Now newly retired. Yes, we’ll get together. Give her our mobile number (it’s UK but as J says she will know she can reach us at the hotel) and also M’s number. Lovely.
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