Saturday September 12
Jayne and I went to Starbucks as she wanted to go there to go on the internet. We found out that the internet there is free. (Actually, when we stopped in on Thursday, I asked was told this.) this is great, as it saves money.
When I was here 2.5 years ago, it cost 1.50 per hour. So, in other shops it should be around 2 - 2.5 euros an hour. (I’ll find out when I stop in to be curious.)
We took our computers spent about two hours there. Since it was Saturday, there was a lot of people there. If we go during the week in the morning, there would be few people there.
I called Clive to tell him of Jayne’s new cell phone and we said our goodbyes.
Sunday September 13
Jayne didn’t want to go to star bucks, so I went by myself. I suggested that we go in the morning there, and in the late afternoon go to the beach.
I wanted to get some work done - setting up an internet business. Since Yainnis’ office is closed today, I thought I could go to Starbucks. (In fact, Yiannis office was closed most of the day yesterday. It looks like I’ll have to use Starbucks on the weekend.)
What would be interesting is, to see what I’ll be paying Yiannis and compare that to Starbucks. When I was there today, I spent 3 hours there and during that time I had once coffee, one whole-wheat chocolate chip cookie and one fresh orange juice. This came to 8 euros.
If on the street the cost for internet cafι is 2.50 euros and Yiannis charges me 2 euros, that means for three hours I would pay him 6 euros. So for only 2 euros I get all this to drink, it would be better at Starbucks. If the regular cafι is 2.50 it would mean for only 1 euro I would get all these drinks (since, like I said, Starbucks is free).
When I left Starbucks, there were 10 of us with computers there.
When I got home, Jayne didn’t want to go to the beach. Later on in the afternoon we took a walk to the bakery to get some sandwiches.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Breakfast at the Atlantica
The hotel breakfast cost 8.50 euros each. It's a lot for breakfast, but I would recommend it if you are hungry as there is a lot to eat and it's very good.
Breakfast at a Hotel
(Note: These postings are in the month of October, as you can see. The reason is that it's been a month since I've posted anything.)Friday September 11
Jayne and I went to what used to be called the Marimare Hotel for breakfast. It has been bought by the Altantic Hotel, so it now has this name.
The cost of the breakfast was 17 euros for both of us. In general with all the stores, I’ve seen that the prices have increased more than just the exchange rate. Well, that’s what they get when they joined the EU!
We walked along the beach from the Marimare to the public section that has a park. I wanted Jayne to see this, too. We walked to where the computer store was. At this time I didn’t know if it was still opened but with an exchange of ownership, or if it closed down, or if it moved some place else.
Then I saw the same name on the outside!
When I went inside, I saw the same owner (the wife of the couple that owns it). I was glad to see her and she was surprised to see me.
Their plans a couple of years ago was to move to Austrailia. She told me that they were accepted but the decided to turn it down (I doubt that as it’s hard to get into the country). Anyhow, she said that they already have a profitable business here and that it’s close to Europe. This, they are right in.
They had plans to find a buyer who would also service computers, so this is what I was hoping for.
Now, it has turned out better.
I bought a keyboard there and I told Alena that I will be back Monday to bring in my computer. Jayne’s computer needs to be taken in, too.
The husband, Illyia, wasn’t in (usually he makes service calls in the morning). And I’ll bring the computer in Monday so I can at least have it for the weekend.
On the way back, I noticed that my barber closed his shop as some other store was there. I’ll have to find another one.
We walked passed the old flat I had before, and from the looks of it it looks like someone is in it.
We stopped in to see Yiannis. He said that if we want, we could stay in the studio for a month and pay him for that time. This will give us more time to look for another place. This will be good as we don’t want to rush into things.
We then went on the computers that Yiannis has at his office (his internet cafι). I told Yiannis I would be spending a lot of time on the internet as this is by business and if I could pay him. He said yes, and will give me a discount. I don’t know how much, as I don’t know the new prices now in Cyprus. But even if he charged me the regular price I would be happy to pay him as I’m helping a friend. Since it’s right in the same building it’s very convenient.
Jayne and I went out later to a nearby store to buy a sim card for her phone. Now that she has a number others can contact us.
Jayne and Yiannis
Picture taken on our first day in Cyprus (September 10)
Yiannis' office. This is where I do a lot of my work, too.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Friends in Cyprus
Thursday September 10
I saw that Jayne was up about 7.30am, and thought that was early. I got up, too. Anyhow, it was half way through the day that I realized if forgot to set my watch two hours ahead.
We went out to get some coffee. As we walked passed Yiannis’ office in the apart.. Complex I saw him and he saw us.
We went inside and greeted each other. I saw Agnus, there, too (his worker). It was great to see him.
The office had been done up real nice since I was last there. He also has other work being done on the building. I noticed that he closed off the entrance to the Valana Hotel.
After we chatted awhile, we went to get some breakfast at a place called Shakespeare. Then we went to my bank to take care of bank business. I noticed when we walked down the main street that there were three new coffee cafes. I mean this is really getting crazy - they were all next to each other, too. There is another section where there is a row of coffee cafes (as I call them).
I got everything straighten out. In fact, the guy remembered that he sent the bank cards to Ecuador.
Then Jayne and I started walking some more. We stopped at Starbucks. I just had coffee and Jayne didn’t have anything. Since we didn’t have coffee with our breakfast, I thought I would get one now. Anyhow, the small cappuccino was 3.50 eruos.
I realized at this time that my watch was wrong. I said let’s go and see Clive and Mary as we were to meet them for lunch. I saw Clive washing the car.
We all had a nice chat and drinks at the hotel that they are staying at (until Saturday). Then we walked over to see Yiannis, as Clive and Mary hadn’t seen him since they were last here.
Yiannis has an internet cafι there. I had told him when he first opened up the western union office there, that he would be good to put some computers there for internet. I mentioned that to him today, and he said, ‘Was that you who told me?’ And I said yes.
I saw that Jayne was up about 7.30am, and thought that was early. I got up, too. Anyhow, it was half way through the day that I realized if forgot to set my watch two hours ahead.
We went out to get some coffee. As we walked passed Yiannis’ office in the apart.. Complex I saw him and he saw us.
We went inside and greeted each other. I saw Agnus, there, too (his worker). It was great to see him.
The office had been done up real nice since I was last there. He also has other work being done on the building. I noticed that he closed off the entrance to the Valana Hotel.
After we chatted awhile, we went to get some breakfast at a place called Shakespeare. Then we went to my bank to take care of bank business. I noticed when we walked down the main street that there were three new coffee cafes. I mean this is really getting crazy - they were all next to each other, too. There is another section where there is a row of coffee cafes (as I call them).
I got everything straighten out. In fact, the guy remembered that he sent the bank cards to Ecuador.
Then Jayne and I started walking some more. We stopped at Starbucks. I just had coffee and Jayne didn’t have anything. Since we didn’t have coffee with our breakfast, I thought I would get one now. Anyhow, the small cappuccino was 3.50 eruos.
I realized at this time that my watch was wrong. I said let’s go and see Clive and Mary as we were to meet them for lunch. I saw Clive washing the car.
We all had a nice chat and drinks at the hotel that they are staying at (until Saturday). Then we walked over to see Yiannis, as Clive and Mary hadn’t seen him since they were last here.
Yiannis has an internet cafι there. I had told him when he first opened up the western union office there, that he would be good to put some computers there for internet. I mentioned that to him today, and he said, ‘Was that you who told me?’ And I said yes.
We Leave for Cyprus
Wednesday September 9
I got a call from Clive to say that Norman will not be able to pick us up at the airport as he’s in hospital with a chest infection. He said that Norman’s wife will pick them up at Pafos and take them to Limassol. Then Clive said he’ll pick us up at Larnaka airport, using Norman’s wife’s car.
This is very nice of them, as they would be getting in limas sol only a couple of hours before.
I got up about 6.30am and started to get ready for our trip. I woke Jayne up at 8.00am.
The taxi arrived about noon and the cost to the airport was £35 , which isn’t bad. It took the drive a while to get to Kinver and it took 45 minutes to the airport.
Since we had plenty of time, we had something to eat, then went to another place to read the newspaper.
The plane departed on time about 6pm.
When we got in, I thought I would have to fill out a landing form, but I didn’t. the customs guy did look at my passport longer, then looked for a page to put the stamp inside. That was the fastest I’ve been through an airport in the EU.
The baggage took about 30 minutes to come in. I don’t know what the wait was for. It came in in dribs and drabs.
I saw Mary in the crowd. We kissed and hugged and I interdicted her to Jayne. Mary called Clive to bring the car around. Then we headed back to Limassol.
Clive took us to an all night bakery so we could buy something for the morning. This was nice of him. Then he took us to Yiannis’ apartment complex. Mary gave me the key at that time (room 306).
We all took the luggage to the room. It’s a studio flat with a double bed, sofa and kitchen table. It also has a little balcony with a view of the Valana Hotel.
It was about 2am local time. (when we arrived it was about 12.30am, which made the flight about 4.15 long)
I got a call from Clive to say that Norman will not be able to pick us up at the airport as he’s in hospital with a chest infection. He said that Norman’s wife will pick them up at Pafos and take them to Limassol. Then Clive said he’ll pick us up at Larnaka airport, using Norman’s wife’s car.
This is very nice of them, as they would be getting in limas sol only a couple of hours before.
I got up about 6.30am and started to get ready for our trip. I woke Jayne up at 8.00am.
The taxi arrived about noon and the cost to the airport was £35 , which isn’t bad. It took the drive a while to get to Kinver and it took 45 minutes to the airport.
Since we had plenty of time, we had something to eat, then went to another place to read the newspaper.
The plane departed on time about 6pm.
When we got in, I thought I would have to fill out a landing form, but I didn’t. the customs guy did look at my passport longer, then looked for a page to put the stamp inside. That was the fastest I’ve been through an airport in the EU.
The baggage took about 30 minutes to come in. I don’t know what the wait was for. It came in in dribs and drabs.
I saw Mary in the crowd. We kissed and hugged and I interdicted her to Jayne. Mary called Clive to bring the car around. Then we headed back to Limassol.
Clive took us to an all night bakery so we could buy something for the morning. This was nice of him. Then he took us to Yiannis’ apartment complex. Mary gave me the key at that time (room 306).
We all took the luggage to the room. It’s a studio flat with a double bed, sofa and kitchen table. It also has a little balcony with a view of the Valana Hotel.
It was about 2am local time. (when we arrived it was about 12.30am, which made the flight about 4.15 long)
Guests
Sunday August 30
Steve came over with his girlfriend. He had bought steaks and fish over that Lil had bought. Lil didn’t want to come back so she gave what she bought to Steve. Thus, Jayne cooked the food.
Steve’s girlfriend is not social, as she didn’t talk much, hardly looked up from her food and didn’t say anything about the food after she ate. No manners.
I called my Mother but there was no answer. Then I called Clive to see about if his friend who will be picking us up at the airpot if he could get the keys to the flat we’ll be moving in - as it will be too late to see Yiannis about it when we come in, which will be about 1.30am.
Clive said he already asked his friend to give Yiannis a call.
Then I called Yiannis to see what he found about the flat. I said that a guy will call him to pick up the keys to give to us. He said this person (Norman) already called him.
Yiannis said that he will be looking at the flat on the beach Monday and see if they can come down in price. He said they wanted 800 euros a month, but he will try to get it lower. This would be too high for us, though it would be good value if it’s compared to other three bedroom flats on the beach. We would have to look something further from the beach and something with one or two bedrooms. However, he can get it lower and it’s only a little more than something that is much less desirable, we’ll take it.
Yianni said that not to worry about staying at a place if it takes us longer to find something (assuming that the cost of the flat on the beach is too high). He said we can stay as long as we need to at his apartment complex. That was nice of him.
Steve came over with his girlfriend. He had bought steaks and fish over that Lil had bought. Lil didn’t want to come back so she gave what she bought to Steve. Thus, Jayne cooked the food.
Steve’s girlfriend is not social, as she didn’t talk much, hardly looked up from her food and didn’t say anything about the food after she ate. No manners.
I called my Mother but there was no answer. Then I called Clive to see about if his friend who will be picking us up at the airpot if he could get the keys to the flat we’ll be moving in - as it will be too late to see Yiannis about it when we come in, which will be about 1.30am.
Clive said he already asked his friend to give Yiannis a call.
Then I called Yiannis to see what he found about the flat. I said that a guy will call him to pick up the keys to give to us. He said this person (Norman) already called him.
Yiannis said that he will be looking at the flat on the beach Monday and see if they can come down in price. He said they wanted 800 euros a month, but he will try to get it lower. This would be too high for us, though it would be good value if it’s compared to other three bedroom flats on the beach. We would have to look something further from the beach and something with one or two bedrooms. However, he can get it lower and it’s only a little more than something that is much less desirable, we’ll take it.
Yianni said that not to worry about staying at a place if it takes us longer to find something (assuming that the cost of the flat on the beach is too high). He said we can stay as long as we need to at his apartment complex. That was nice of him.
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