A Matter of Choice

October 28th is a national holiday in Cyprus, known as 'Ochi Day' A little bit of history for you... (thanks to  Fatcatz Mobilty ) The word ‘Ochi’ simply means ‘No’. It is the word Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas used in 1940 to Mussolini’s spokesperson when asked if Axis forces could use Greek territory to gain access to areas of Europe not already occupied by Hitler and Mussolini. Metaxas stalwartly said ‘No!’ Prime Minister Metaxas had deliberately done his best to keep Greece neutral in the early months of World War II, but the ultimatum tipped any chance of allegiance and Greece became allied with Great Britain. Prior to this, Metaxas may have decided to go either way. Personally, he had links with Germany based on his early education. He had also resisted Greece becoming involved with World War I and had refused to support the Allies in the Dardanelles Campaign. The ultimatum changed everything and Greece turned out to be a strong force against the German...

Well, they say you learn something new everyday and that's certainly true living in Cyprus! Leo came home from school today having made this... His teacher did reiterate the writing with him as we went to leave and asked him if he understood but he did his usual 'smile and wave' thing  where he nods and says 'Nai'  (yes) even though I think he's just humouring them.   All the children were leaving with them and I didn't think much more of it, as they often come home with religious looking artwork. He also brought a letter which with my limited knowledge and the help of Google translate I managed to gather was about the subjects they were covering this month.   (winter and water apparently!)   The end of the letter mentioned  the  Τριών Ιεραρχών , the same as on his colouring.   I couldn't quite understand what it was saying other than they were something to do with letters! As I had a Greek lesson tonight (brought forward from tomorrow ...