Woke up, went to church, which took longer than expected. Apparently there was a big muckety muck visiting from Jerusalem and he had a few "words" to say. What do I know? I was just there to see the theater.
OK, so after the show, I was told I have to pass out the Koliva. This was news to me. A blindside. Told mom that I need to know everything that was expected of me. Guess this little tidbit slipped by. I made my way outside, watch what others did and proceeded to scoop out the wheaty goodness into awaiting plastic baggies. The crowd grabs little bags and goes from memorial to memorial in the courtyard collecting a scoop or so from each. It was sort of like a mini madhouse. Yours truly was generous with the portions and was done in no time.
Walked back to the house where everyone had gathered. There were about 30 people there. Impromptu organization was amazing - the marines would be proud of these women. Two were manning the stove for making coffee, one was delivering and taking orders. Mind you, this is no easy feat as every person has preference in how their coffee is prepared (Greek coffee that is) whether it's sketo (no sugar), me oligi (with a smidge of sugar), metrio (semi sweet), or glyko (sweet). Not a single order went wrong. One was cleaning up and recycling the cups, one was hauling food back and forth to/from fridge/table/kitchen. I tell you it was a pleasure to watch. And all that without any supervision.
After a while, things calm down a bit and I get a chance to sit and chill. One of my nephews comes by and tells me there's something wrong with the toilet. He says it's foaming. I tell him, that in all of 40 years that toilet has been in place, it has never foamed, and I don't see why all of a sudden it would start. It's not like it was mad or anything... He keeps insisting, so I get up and take a look. True enough, there's foam coming out of the bowl and tank. It smells surprisingly like shampoo. Turns out one (or many) of the little turds poured shampoo in the tank and started flushing. The action created said foam which flowed under the lid and into the surrounding area. I turn back and all of them have shit eating grins (there were 4). I herd them out and start cleaning. I throw towels down, and try to clean up the foam. There's nothing I can do other than wait this thing out and keep flushing until it's all gone. I turn around and they're all back staring at me. I had to threaten them with a beating to get them to leave. And it's not like you can hang a sign on the door because it's the only toilet in a house full of 30 people.
After 15 minutes, I get things calmed down enough so the commode can be used and go back into the throng. I notice that the potable water has ran out. Grab the tank and head to the corner to fill up. Bring it back, put it in the pourer thingy and decide it's time to change. Put on some shorts and finally sit down to a cup of coffee and a couple of koupes cousin Petros brought.
I chat up the relatives for a bit, planning the next few days and everyone starts leaving. It was like a tornado. Everyone showed up at once and left at once. In about 90 minutes it was all over. We cleaned up with the help of Maria and Eleni, put up what was left over and took it was time for a nap. Mind you, this was all before 1:00pm.
Chilled out, and went to visit Eleni (dad's sister) in Tseri in the afternoon. We pulled in her house and see this. Shoefigs (inside joke - you know who you are and you will laugh) everywhere. Mom is surprised and suggests I take a picture. Well, here it are. Boy these Prickly pears are gonna be sweet come late summer. If you're wondering, THIS is how to properly eat the pear. Cypriots don't eat the pads.
Went to Nitsa's for dinner. Al fresco. It was a pleasant relaxing evening after the mayhem of the day.Random thoughts
- It looks like the Orthodox church has perfected the show (service...) There's standing, sitting, kneeling, (for getting your exercise in). And there's a show with the singing, bringing out the gilded book, costumes and changing thereof, hats and changing thereof, waving of fans, parading of icons, the smoking, the blessings, the communion, the chanting... If it wasn't long enough already, I would have applauded.
- With the koliva after the service, you get Dinner with the show.
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