Tsiknopempti

Nobody could have been in Cyprus yesterday (Feb 4,2010) and not known that it was a special day.  The country smelt like a giant barbecue. And that afterall was the idea- for it was Tsiknopempti, literally meaning burnt Thursday. It is the Thursday 11 days before the starting of lent, which for the orthodox Christian faith is the last day to consume meat before Easter. According to tradition everybody should make a barbecue so the smell of roasting meats fills the air.

There was no escaping it yesterday. Everywhere I went, people had the grills outside- in the schools, the post office, the bank, the periptero round the corner, the florist, the pharmacy. Everyone was cooking the local sausages and other meats and offering to everyone all around. I must have been offered the delicious looking pitta stuffed with succulent meats some 20 times yesterday. And when I said I was vegetarian, I was promptly offered another one with halloumi- the delicious goat cheese. Tables were laden with food and Greek music blared from everywhere.

Taverns were heaving too with people who knew they should barbecue but could not.

The streets were full of happy children armed with confetti, streamers and foam.

Was just generally another big , happy day full of fun and laughter and music in Cyprus.