The Birthday Party

Isabella had her third birthday on the 16th of April, or Nisan as it is called here. Poor girl! Because she only turned three then, she could not go to school when we got here. Subsequently she has been a little short on peers to make up a birthday party for her. We decided as a family to go on a boat trip down the coast and she, (and Danny) was very excited about the prospect. Isabella gets excited in a sort of serious, quiet way. She was anticipating something quite momentous, and I think she was not disappointed. (When I booked trip, the owner of the ship, hearing that I was Afrikaans, immediately got on the phone to his South African girlfriend – from PE – who works in Istanbul. We had a nice chat in Afrikaans. They were planning to visit SA in the next ten days or so.)

We started the morning with a party at home including balloons, a pink Little Mermaid cake and many presents – more than we could actually afford. This is because Daniel found out that we bought Issy presents without consulting him, and that it was important for him to choose his own present for her. He was very mature about the whole thing since I pointed out that we didn’t have a lot of money to spend. “Here’s the deal…” he said. “You show me all the toys in the shop we can afford and I will make the choice.” I was quite relieved when he chose an “affordable” little stove, and even more relieved that Issy loved it. Isabella also got a Little Mermaid, Special Edition, two-disc DVD set from Connie. This may not sound too exciting, but it was nice for all of us to watch an original DVD from which we could access all the features. We have gotten used to pirated DVD’s of fair quality, but that start immediately when you put them into the player.

(The frenzied opening of presents)

(Danny, Issy and the Stove)

(In the harbour, before we left and on our way out)

(The castle from the sea)

(Girne downtown with St Hilarion in the background)

(Another, similar yacht races us)

Since being here, it seems that the sea is calm in the week and choppy over weekends. This Sunday was no exception. We set out on the boat with great expectations. Isabella had the look of a Columbus ready to discover India on her face as we headed into the wind and waves. Although it is a sail boat, they never used the sails. Soon the butterflies in Jeanne-Marie’s stomach made way for other, less pleasant sensations. I also started feeling a little queasy and we were in for a long day. Apart from seasickness, there is not much to do on the boat as we sailed down the coast in the direction of Lapta, where we live. So I proceeded running about, keeping the children from falling overboard while they seemed to have boundless fun. Jeanne-Marie was very brave, and despite not being able to share in the great lunch spreads they provided, she claims to have had a great trip. I, on the other hand, rarely let an opportunity to eat good food pass. I think the food settled my stomach and I imagined not feeling so fragile after lunch.

(Issy staring into the Blue Yonder -wish I had a better photograph!)

(Girne dissapearing)

(Happiness is...)

(...Danny on the yacht)

(On the way back - the swell is bigger than the photo suggests)

On the boat we met a Family from Latvia. The woman (can’t remember her name) spoke Russian with the shipmate and cook (also a lady) who was from Khazakstan (She hasn't met Borat personally). Although these countries are worlds apart, they were both part of the Soviet Union pre 1990. When we anchored in a bay, there was an opportunity to swim in the Med. Just after I declined the opportunity strongly in my mind – it was still Spring – the children demanded that we swim. What can a father do? I reluctantly climbed down the little aluminium staircase lowered into the substantial swell and had visions of what it might have felt like to walk the plank. I got into the burning cold water first so that I could help D & I into the water. I clung to the staircase for dear life with frostbitten digits and helped Isabella into the sea. She didn’t like it! Danny tried twice and then also decided against it (Hurray!). I got out and managed to get the circulation going again. Fortunately it was it a sunny day. Unfortunately it was windy. I got dry eventually and sat down to speak to the Latvians. They thought the water was fine.

(Late afternoon - back in the harbour)

(The castle, still there)

(Part of the old harbour)

At about 4 O’clock we returned to beautiful views of Girne – the harbour and the castle. Danny was getting a little wild and I had to be strict with him. Although he can swim in a swimming pool, I realized that if he fell in and I went after him, it might be impossible to see him in the one-and-a-half meter swell. Who knows how long he would have been able to stay afloat had he fallen in. A frightening thought. Isabella spent the whole day like the princess that she is. She went for an afternoon nap in the cabin below and enjoyed the day thoroughly. The brave girl really deserved it!

(The end of a great day)

(Happy birthday Isabella)

One knows that the kids had a good day when they fall asleep in the car on the way home. Our kids had a good day. All-in-all the parents had a good day too. Nothing like a bit of seasickness, frostbite and heart failure to spice up one’s day. And look on the bright side, it could have been worse. We could have been on a two-and-a-half hour ferry ride to Turkey on a choppy sea! I’ll tell you about that later…