I parked the van up outside the villa where I will be residing when I get back to Cyprus on the 23rd September. I made the short trek out to the main road and waited, and waited, and waited for a Dolmus to turn up and whisk me to Kyrenia but half an hour later I was still standing by my suit case, smoking profusely. When you’re in trouble or panicking, who do you call…..? 118 VICKI 118 of course. She put my mind at ease that during the religious holiday the Dolmus buses ran as normal and just as I was speaking to her on the phone a Dolmus flew past in the wrong direction but the driver did blow his horn, which I hoped meant he would be back to pick me up. Fifteen minutes later he was back and my journey began but an hour and a half later than I intended. I caught the Nicosia Dolmus from Kyrenia to Nicosia and arrived at the Ledra Palace crossing at approximately 6.30pm. By then I was panicking, perhaps unnecessarily but I decided it would be prudent to call a cab to whisk me to Larnaca airport instead of taking the cheaper option of a bus. Twenty minutes later a gleaming white Mercedes taxi turned up and we were on our way.
An hour later and 50 Euros lighter in the pocket I arrived at the airport with just over two hours before my flight was due to take off. Before I entered the terminal I smoked two fags in succession and patted myself on the back for deciding to take a taxi in case I turned up at the bus station only to find the airport service to Larnaca had just left and the next one would not be going for two hours!
Half an hour later I booked in for my flight and my case was waiting to be put on the plane that would take us to Gatwick. By that time my stomach started to rumble and I found a food outlet that was serving proper food instead of snack joints which were plentiful. Looking over the menu sheet with raised eye-brow at the prices I settled on spaghetti with wild mushrooms, bacon bits all in a white sauce. It was not only delicious but the helping was plentiful so the price I paid didn’t look so bad. I covered it with copious amounts of Parmesan cheese and washed it down with a large glass of coke. I then made my way through to the departure area and taken back by the myriad of duty-free shops. I wandered around with the idea of buying a cheapish point and shoot digital camera and also getting some tobacco. I soon changed my mind when I saw the prices. Duty-free my arse! I’m afraid they were taking the piss and wished I’d bought a camera while I was still in North Cyprus.
The four hour and forty minute flight was uneventful for me because I slept through most of it but I’ve no doubt I pissed a few people off with my snoring. My brother was dutifully waiting for me at arrivals and by two thirty we were back at his house. We retired at about 4.30am after we had caught up with each other.
I have a big reunion on Sunday with a person I last saw approximately forty-three years ago, so watch this space and all will be revealed.
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