My friends and I went to Lemesos/Limessol on Saturday--about 75 minutes away--to hear the Street Singers perform last night for the last days of Carnivale. Groups of men (sometimes with women) troubadors (about 15-20 per group) in costume and with instruments, stroll down a parade route in Old Towne, singing traditional Cypriot folk songs. Families line the sides of the street, throw confetti, and cheer as the groups walk by. Sometimes, they fold in behind their favorite group as all move toward the public square. Kids (and some adults) are dressed in (Halloween) costumes. The Old Towne is decorated, even the municipal buildings join in the festivities! It was a very pleasant, fun evening. The weather was wonderful--70 ish. We ate dinner outside, drank Cypriot wine, laughed. It was a lovely day and evening.
Tomorrow is Green Monday and everyone following Greek Cypriot traditions "goes into the fields" for picnics of fruits and vegetables, juices, water, and wine (no meat or dairy products) in preparation for the Greek Orthodox Lenten season. My landlords have invited me to their beach house in Protaras. It is supposed to be beautiful there. We will have our "fields" meal at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea. How cool is that?
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