Hospitality like theirs is a way of life here, and I aim to be a proper Cypriot host to you all, so how about some fresh-baked holiday sweets: kourabiedes (Christmas almond shortbread), and melomakarona (Christmas honey cookies), loukoumades (Epiphany honey balls, or doughnut holes), or vasilopita (New Year’s cake)? Don’t be shy— eat, eat!
Now that you’re feeling refreshed from your journey (and probably quite full), let me show you around. Έλα, έλα—come, come! Behind the living room and kitchen there are two bedrooms (κρεβατοκάμαρες), one of which I’ve turned into a small workout space, and between them is my bathroom (μπάνιο). The house is fully furnished, meaning it already had all the furniture and appliances I needed when I arrived (which is fortunate because I only brought two suitcases and a carry-on bag with me from the States). However, my favorite parts of the house aren’t things I need but rather simple touches that make it feel more “homey.” You’ve already seen several of them in the living room: the traditional Cypriot lace table cloths and the flowered needlework wall hangings, both of which remind me of my mom’s cross-stitching back home. I am also fond of the collection of icons, or religious imagery, decorating the wall above my dresser, even though I’m not Greek Orthodox myself. These small decorative touches are all welcome reminders that a Cypriot family once lived here and are now looking out for me as my landlords. And that’s it—that’s my little home, το μικρό σπίτι μου.
Now let’s step outside, but watch out! Don’t let any of the stray cats (οι γάτες) pawing at the door slip inside!
