I can’t believe it, but today is our last day on this beautiful island, with these beautiful people. We have had a wonderful trip. This morning I slept in a little, before heading over or Ricos and Vera’s for breakfast. When we got there, Vera, Carol and George were at the cemetery cleaning, watering the plants and taking care of the grave.

We left the house for Lefkara around 11:00 and met up with Vassillis, Maria and Ana around 12:15, after asking for some help. Lefkara is a village north of Larnaca known for its lace and silver. It is located on the southern slopes of the Troödos Mountains in the Larnaca District of Cyprus, off the main Nicosia-Limassol highway. It features cobbled streets and picturesque architecture. The village is split into two administrative regions: upper and lower Lefkara with around 1,100 inhabitants.

There was a street fair going on, so they didn’t want us to drive into downtown, but we found a good spot to park. The town was fabulous. We walked the streets, went to the Lefkara Museum, and took lots of photos. The museum is located in a restored house and exhibits the furniture and effects of a wealthy family, local costumes and examples of the Lefkara lacework. According to legend, Leonardo da Vinci visited the village in 1481, and purchased a lace cloth for the main altar of the Duomo di Milano.

We stopped for lunch and were adamant that we not have 25 dishes. But had a delicious salad, Tavas (meat, rice, potatoes and onions cooked in a clay pot), the most delicious and tender lamb I’ve ever tasted, and two pork dishes. It was still a lot of food. Vassillis and Maria were delightful. Because of work, a small child, and having only been back in Cyprus for a year, they enjoy doing weekend excursions to see more of the country. They feel like tourists themselves.

After buying a Minnie Mouse for Ana, eating Lokmades at the fair, Vassillis and Maria went home and we decided to check out the lower village. When we parked, there was a lot of loud screaming coming from a small cafe. The men were arguing about the football game. Well, one man was yelling very loud. We meandered through the streets to the church, shot more photos, and headed back to the car. At this point two of the mans friends were escorting him to his house. He appeared to be drunk, and not ver cooperative. Carol and I ducked into an alley to avoid being in the middle of something. And after he passed, felt more comfortable walking on the main road.

We left Lefkara and headed back to Lemesos. I took a nap, feeling exhausted, and woke up to an empty apartment. Everyone was at Rico’s and Vera’s house for dinner. It was supposed to be a salad, but Vera made a beet root dip, a tomato and feta dip, veggies, and Ricos bought some toodes. I don’t think that’s spelled right, but it was meat and vegetables coated in almost a corn dog style breading and fried. You bite off the end, drip some lemon inside and eat them. Everything delicious.

Well, now I must pack. George and Carol are taking Wendy to the airport at 2:30 to catch a 5:30am flight. I leave at 10:30.

So sad to leave, but hope to return someday.