Bailout and Greek Day

Cypriot President President Nicos Anastasiades addressing the Country.







So the Bailout is signed but the Cypriot Banks are still closed and the consequences for Cyprus will be huge. I think the biggest worry at the moment is the uncertainty for the future, unemloyment, inflation,  investment in the Country and the risk of a drop in Visitor numbers due to the Negative press the Country has received.

Meanwhile in our village, celebrations took place at the local church to mark Greek day with traditional Music and dancing.

Brinkmanship

Another day of trying to get  the Latest News on the current position of the Problems here in Cyprus, snippets of News and rumours seem to be seeping out on an hourly basis but with no concrete answers. 
It is understood that the European central bank has set a deadline of Monday for Cyprus to come up with an acceptable plan.

Below are some images of Protesters in Nicosia and some  of the cartoons depicting the recent troubles.

Details of Plan "B" are due to be announced today and hopefully voted on by the Cypriot Parliament, meanwhile, the Cypriot finance minister, Michael Sarris, continues his talks in Moscow with the Russians in hope getting some sort of financial package.

Daily Life continues during the Financial Crisis

As another day begins in these historic times in Cyprus we wait patiently for the Cypriot government to announce plan ‘B’ to put before MP’s and the people of Cyprus. As you go about your daily business here all conversations are about one subject, the crisis and in some coffee shops the debate can get quite loud and animated.

Of course, rumours run wild especially when it comes to possible Russian involvement in the bailout, it is rumoured that they would want a percentage of the gas fields that surround the Island, control of one of the Major Cypriot banks and even their own military port, but I stress that these are rumours on the street and on the internet.

Here at a new life planned in Cyprus we have been contacted by a number of various journalists from around Europe asking for our thoughts on the current financial crisis in Cyprus and we have tried in some small way to tell them the truth about the situation, some journalist had heard about Petrol, food and medication shortage, we told them that this was not the case at present.

I must give quick mention to one of  our local Takeaways, The P corner, Pantelis has said " For people Who don't have enough money for food we are open a credit until the bank's will be open again....so don't worry about money...come and eat".... A great gesture, Well don Pantelis.

Stay Tuned as I am sure there will be many twists and turns in the coming days before we see light at the end of the tunnel……

The Cyprus financial Crisis continues

Well the financial crisis starts to bite deeper on the Island with bank ATM's running out of cash and certain retailers refusing to accept credit/debit cards.

I know one of people's main concern is the lack cash available for everyday living, one of our local takeaway food outlets has just posted on a social network site that people can get food there and pay when the financial crisis comes to an end, nice to see some community spirit in these straitened times.

We have just been informed that the banks will stay closed now until at least next Tuesday, so that means that the banks will have been closed for 11 days.

We have also been told that the Cypriot government will vote on plan "B" later this week after refusing the terms and conditions of the original bailout plan from the leaders of the EU-IMF.

Green Monday

While the Doom and Gloom of the current financial crisis hangs over Cyprus, the Bank holiday of Green day was celebrated, well it was observed, not much celebrating on this Island at the moment.

We went over to one of the local picnic sites where locals set up communal
 tables for their food and as is tradition, flew colourful kites.

We then made our way over to the village of Kouklia and enjoyed lunch in the courtyard of a local taverna.

Today in the Cypriot Parliament a vote is due to take place on the Eurozone bailout and the levy that banks will impose on customers. The banks have been closed for several days but we are told that they will open on Thursday.

St Paddy's Day and a World Record for Cyprus

Trying, briefly, to forget the doom and gloom of the current financial problems in Cyprus, we made our  way down to the Vraka Tavern to celebrate St. Patricks day with a lovely BBQ and couple of pints of the Black stuff.

The Cypriot Rugby team (The Moufflons) made history this weekend  by winning their 18th consecutive International match by beating Bulgaria 79-10

Six Nations champions, Euro Bailout and Carnival.

Wales win the Six nations Rugby Championship with a resounding 30-3 victory over the Old enemy, England, in the Millenium stadium in our Home City of Cardiff.

The weekend started off with Cyprus hitting the Global News headlines when Eurozone finance ministers agreed a 10 Billion Euro(£7bn: $13bn) bailout package for Cyprus to prevent the country going Bankrupt.

Now we have wait and  see what the consequences will be to the Island. Tax rises seem inevitable and confidence in the Cypriot banking system will wither.

Meanwhile, Carnival weekend begins in Cyprus and it goes to some people's head.

Andy's Birthday at The Giraffe

Andy celebrated his birthday down at the Giraffe pub with friends and family and a special Cake.

St. David's Day and Welshcakes

St. Davids day falls on March the First and is the day we celebrate the Patron Saint of Wales.  To mark this day Mandy tried her hand at making traditional Welsh cakes.

Stage One .

Roll out the pastry to 6mm thickness and cut out
in circular shapes.

Stage Two.

Cook slowly in a knob of butter for 3 minutes on both sides.

Stage Three

Sprinkle with castor sugar while still warm and enjoy them with a nice cup of tea.