My last day today, flying back to the UK tomorrow, so I enjoy that feeling of not just being a Millionaire but a Multi Millionaire.
£500 Invested in a ....cash machine returned just under 15 million !! There again most Belarusians are millionaires, but not for long as come July the new Belarus currency will be launched removing four zeros from the currency so the same £500 will return just a measly 1500 New BY Rubbles.
Thus far I have had two belated 70th birthdays and tonight I will have the final third. It feels good. I have come to know Belarus and its people reasonably well over the last 6 years. Any misconceptions I may have had about the Russians in general have been laid to rest.
I find their culture, family life, social events so similar to ours in Cyprus. Its not the fact that they are exclusively Christian Orthodox but they are extremely family orientated, loyal to their friends and respectful to foreigners once they get to know you.
As always, at each family gathering I'm the oldest by far
Greek music is always played and my favourite songs have become a part of family events. Stratos Dionisiou, Margaritis, Pitsa Papadopoulou are now well known and so is ...Halloumi ! I have yet to introduce ameletita, but will in time.We are preparing a feast tonight, 16 family and friends gathering , I shall be doing Makaroni tou Fournou, Kioftedes and of course a couple of roasts, a Cypriot salad all washed down with ....Vodka !!
