Cypriot Dining

Everyone knows that there are differences between cultures.  And sometimes, we may think we know the differences among cultures which would enable us to better assimilate into the local environment.

But there turned out to be a lot about the Cypriot culture I didn't fully expect.

There's an interesting dynamic in the pace of life here.  On the one hand, you have a society that loves sitting outside, chatting with friends.  You will literally see store workers and owners sitting out front of their shop talking away throughout the day.  This is partially because there isn't a lot of air conditioning inside, nor is there a need for it when the weather outside is so nice.  But I think it's also because Cypriot society is such a social culture (which comes from the Greek background, I suppose).

Along the streets you find little stores called "kiosks" which are sort of equivalent of convenient marts and newsstands.  You can pop in to buy a drink or a few necessities if you need.  But these stores often keep long hours if they aren't already open 24 hours a day.

Then you have the retail stores.  Some open around 8:30 am and some, it seems, as late as 10 am.  Virtually all of them close from 2 pm - 5 pm for a siesta, which I always thought to be an explicitly Spanish custom.  Looks like I was wrong.  When they reopen at 5 they typically close down for the day around 7-8:30 pm.  They close earlier (say 5 pm) on Saturdays and most aren't open at all on Sunday.

When I was walking around town today after orientation (looking for a coffee, which I'm sure surprises everyone), it was almost like a ghost town.  Except for the few cars that were flying down the street.

Traditional Cyprian Coffee. They serve it in small cups (by American standards) and the coffee grounds are at the bottom.

As laid back as everyone seems to be in person, they are possibly the most aggressive drivers I've ever encountered on the road. And me, being a fairly bad driver as it is, would never dream of getting behind the wheel of a car here (in addition to the fact that they drive on the opposite side of the road, like most of Europe).

So after everything shuts down around 7-8:30 pm, Greek Cypriots don't go to dinner until at least 8 pm, and it's typically closer to 9 or 10 before they dine.  I also found out today that if someone invites you over for a party or to eat, it's rude to show up on time.  It's rude to show up early.  In fact, order to be polite, you should show up no earlier than 30 minutes after the scheduled time, possibly even 45 minutes!

So after dinner is finished, locals will go somewhere for coffee or drinks from around 11 pm to 1 am.  Then it's time to hit the clubs until 1 am (this is on the weekends, of course. Not every night).

But the food....

I guess it's the Greek heritage of these Cypriots, but they love food.  Which is perfect for me, of course.  I just didn't realize how much they love food.  


Aside from the Meze (which is a traditional Cypriot meal consisting of something akin to 20 courses and is also the focus of our documentary, and will be discussed in a blog on it's own.  If not two. Or three.), you can find so many different types of food here.  Chicken, lamb, pork, beef, haloumi cheese (a local cheese), etc. etc. etc.  And ALL  of it is amazing!

Tonight we ate a buffet of various salads, some pasta, some sort of baked spinach casserole, grilled zucchini and eggplant, several types of chicken, pork, and desserts that ranged from freshly chopped, mixed fruit, to strawberry and chocolate cakes.

I love food.  I love trying new food. And I love learning about the food in different cultures.  Good thing we are attending a cooking class tomorrow :)

The site of my first Cypriot lunch. How could anyone not want to eat here??

The Cyprian Sandwich. Cucumber, tomato, cabbage, mayonnaise and a thin slice of meat = Yummy!
Did you notice the Coke Light?  No Diet drinks here! (And sadly, no Pepsi Light either :(  )