Last Friday Soulla went to a Turkish Restaurant (Ishtar)

The background

I am Cypriot and I am Greek. I was born in 1982. That is nine years after 1974. If you know your history well you would know that 1974 was when the Turkish invasion took place in Cyprus with many many ugly consequences for all Cypriots. Unsurprisingly, my education in a school filled with teachers for whom the war was a fresh memory and many of whom had lost their homes and loved ones in the war, was "slightly" nationalistic. Greeks good. Turks bad. Fight for freedom. Do not forget.

I do not want to go into the political situation in Cyprus because I have to admit that my knowledge of it is more sentimental than it is historical. But growing up I have understood that what I knew as facts were potentially biased versions of a truth that no one really knows. A truth which no one will tell you because no one ever really knew. I say this because so many people who all lived through the war and the years leading to it tell a very different story. And thus, as many of the kids in my generation I am in limbo as to what I believe and can describe much better what I feel about the situation instead. In my case, its raw fear. No anger, no hatred just fear of what could happen to upset the few things in life I consider as normality.

Friday night..

In any event my introduction is only to explain why I thought it was pretty strange when last Friday while sitting in Ishtar (a Turkish restaurant in Baker Street) I had a weird feeling of "this feels like home". I felt it was a bit wrong to feel that. But tough luck, I thought of it and I had to admit it. At least to myself..

The food was excellent. The hummus was great, the yogurt dip with spinach and garlick was even better. It is one of my favourite dips and I will certainly make it the next time I have people round for dinner. The bread was warm and fresh, the chicken shish (char grilled marinated chicken cubes with rice) and the iskender (grilled lamb on toasted bread with yogurt and tomato sauce) was spot on. My only complaint from the restaurant was that the portions were too big..but that just does not sound like me so I will shut up instead.

The waiters spoke with accents which resembled mine (or at least that of the lady who reads the news in Turkish on Cypriot television) and were genuinely smiley and warm.. Most of all the price was very reasonable (£45 for two - starters, main courses, coffee and beer including service).

We kept trying to think of Turkish words we know but could only come up with naughty words (just because these are used in the Cypriot dialect). I kept trying to think what "thank you" is in Turkish..I did not know it though. Unfortunately I do not think I have ever thanked anyone in Turkish before.. I have googled it since and can proudly say that it is "seni seviyorum".

And so "seni seviyorum" to the people at Ishtar for the good food and the great service!

This Friday I am missing home..

My Friends know..

..i sometimes feel a bit nostalgic about home. Every now and then, while changing tube lines, when walking in the street, when sitting at my desk and most importantly when big things happen which concern my family or friends..i just terribly want to be at home.

Home

..is a wonderful place. Its green and you can hear birds singing and you can go to the sea whenever you feel like it and everybody makes time for you..I admit that I might have slightly idealised home during the last eight years. After all, I have never lived in Cyprus as an adult and whenever I go back I feel ten years younger which in itself makes me happier. But also, it is honestly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to :).

Today..

Dad retired from a job in which he has been since the 1980s..that is almost 30 years ago. That is a long time people. Since I remember, Dad has worked in the same airlines. And therefore today is a big day for my family. It is a celebratory / end of an era kind of day. And I desperately want to be there. I want to make sure they are all fine but also I want to sit with them and enjoy the first days of Cypriot winter. When it is a bit cold but still very sunny. When Dad makes soup and we sit by the fireplace. When the leaves start to fall and my neighbourhood smells of smoke because every family on the street is doing the exact same thing. And therefore I have decided to make a list of the ten things I love most about home!

TOP 10 THINGS I MISS

• Gardens, sitting outside for Sunday lunch and sneaky cigarettes in peoples back yards.
• My sister and her "just got out of bed" goofy look.
• My Dad making breakfast and chatting all along the process about philosophical and yet funny subjects.
• Loukoumades, crunchy and syrupy!
• Going for coffee with friends I have not seen in a while, laughing out loud and smoking and smoking.
• The Sea. Looking it at it, swimming in it or even just listening to it.
• Sitting down for lunch or dinner with all the family!
• Driving with Greek music playing on the radio. Dancing along and singing lyrics I make up.
• Talks with my Grandma about everything (from how much she still loves my Grandpa (who has been dead since 1973) to recipes to gossiping to new songs to old books).
• Going out for drinks with people you know since always and finding other people you have known for ever and dancing and dancing.

I miss a million other things too about home..but these are my favourite ones..in the mean time I have forgotten that the purpose of this blog was to remind me of all the lovely things I enjoy in London. But every now and then we are all allowed a trip down memory lane...and my memory lane always leads home...

Last Friday, Soulla met Jack!

Zac


It all started when I went for dinner with my friend E on Wednesday night. She showed me a picture of Zac the pumpkin and I instantly fell in love. She explained that Zac is a mini pumpkin who came all the way from Luxembourg and was carved and lit in London. All I could think about was how I really wanted to meet Zac's friends!


Jack

On Friday evening I baby sat my one year old god-daughter and her three year old brother who happen to be the most adorable kids in the world. Just so cute! And they brought me a present! Unbelievably, their present was none other than Jack! A Pumpkin which they bought and carved for Halloween. As they were leaving London on Sunday, they decided Jack should stay with me! Jack is my new best friend (until he turns a bit green I guess)! I have carefully placed him on the balcony and have lit him up every night since.


The Red Cups



Even though Halloween is over, I shall keep lighting Jack right up to the day when I am allowed to decorate my Christmas tree, which I am delighted to announce that won't be long now. My boyfriend said I can decorate as soon as Starbucks brings out its red cups and guess what I saw in front of Starbucks this morning: a sign saying that "The Red Cups are coming".


Life just keeps getting better and better!