Last time I left you, I had just had coffee with my new Cypriot neighbor, Oimbeeyatha (Oh-im-bee-YAH-thuh). Through the power of Google Translate, I received an invitation to return later in the week to meet her daughter who would be visiting from the city. I nodded and told her I would come.
I decided that I would make my first inaugural batch of pumpkin bread for the visit. It’s my grandmother’s recipe and has been a tradition as far back as I can remember. She would bake it in metal coffee cans. I don’t have any metal coffee cans, so it will have to be in boring bread pans.
I had saved a few cans of pumpkin just for this occasion as you can’t always be sure that it will be available on this side of the pond. I have made my own pumpkin puree from pumpkin or squash found here, but let’s be honest…canned is SO MUCH EASIER!
Anyway, I baked three loaves and John made sure none of them were poisoned. Very thoughtful.
I wrapped up some slices and made my way to Oimbeeyatha’s storefront/home. She greeted me and said, “Coffee? Yes?” I smiled and sighed. More coffee. Eventually, I’ll ask for something else, but not yet.
She busied herself with our drinks and began setting out peanuts, sliced nectarines, and cookies. I tried to keep her from fussing, but to no avail.
I presented her with the plate of pumpkin bread and she smiled. I had pre-typed a description into Google Translate so it would be ready when she asked. She read the text and nodded. I said, “For you and your daughter.”
She paused and looked out the door down the street. She shook her head and began speaking to me in Greek and pointing. I couldn’t understand, but smiled a lot.
Strong, thick coffee arrived in tiny porcelain cups perched alongside all the snacks. When she set a third cup of coffee down, I assumed her daughter would be arriving at any moment. Oimbeeyatha looked down the street again and shrugged. She then took a cup of coffee and a slice of pumpkin bread next door to the convenience store worker named Marie.
Now I’m really confused. Where’s her daughter? Did I totally misunderstand the whole situation?
Marie came out of the store and took a break so she could drink the coffee and bread given to her. I greeted her by name as I had met her earlier in the month. Marie, in her 70s, wore bright pink lipstick, several rings other fingers, and a bright pink t-shirt under some faded overalls.
Oimbeeyatha began speaking to Marie who then translated to me in English.
Marie: She says that her daughter is here, but is at the cemetery putting flowers on her father’s grave.
I nodded and put my hand on Oimbeeyatha’s.
More Greek flew around the room, so I took it as opportunity to take a few big gulps of coffee so that part of my guest responsibilities would be finished.
Marie: She says that you live close to her.
Pam: Yes, that is true. Right down the lane here.
Marie: She wants to know how much rent you pay.
I laughed.
Pam: I’m sorry, but from where I’m from we don’t talk about that. It’s embarrassing for us.
Marie: I understand. I will tell her that your husband made the negotiations and you know nothing about it. That way she’ll never ask you again.
I smiled and shrugged. I couldn’t disagree as the translation was already in process. Cultural insights like this are helpful for the future.
Marie then asked questions about the pumpkin bread and told me that at Christmas they, too, make pumpkin goods. Then she promised to bring me some when the holidays got closer.
After a while, Oimbeeyatha told Marie who told me that her daughter must have gone visiting somewhere else in the village.
I smiled and told her that it was not a problem. I would come again another time.
We finished our visit. Marie went back to her cashier’s register and I said my goodbyes to both women. Oimbeeyatha packed some fruit and cookies in a bag and presented me with a necklace that her daughter had made for her shop. I tried to refuse all of her kindness, but it was not to be. I came home bedecked with a beautiful reminder of this sweet lady’s thoughtfulness.
I’m so thankful to the Lord for this healing season and the wonderfully kind people He has placed in our path.
Recent Comments