When we first came to Polemi, I was put off going to their shop because it didn't look that appealing, and there always seemed to be people sat outside watching you. What a treat I missed.
The first time I went in I got a thorough and good natured haranging by Natalie - a state of affairs that's continued.
She and her new huband Paul are a lovely couple - and we had the pleasure of going to their recent wedding.
Don't hold an ego if you're going in - they will bring you right back to earth in a very good natured way.
The shop is a total delight. Probably completely impractical, but also impossibly traditional. Self service? No way. You ask for what you want, and if they've haven't got it, they'll recommend something else. Just like it used to be.
It's jam-packed charm completes the picture. Every flat surface has products piled up for you to buy. This makes a Tardis look decidedly small. Some of the juxtapositions make me laugh. Engine oil next to crisps. Saws next to sweetcorn. I'm sure they've got it - just where?
From a photography point of view it was a nightmare. Everything's packed in, so getting back to get the whole picture just wasn't an option. Thank goodness for a 12mm lens.
Lighting it was a problem too. Bounce light off the ceiling? No way - firstly because the ceiling's dark coloured and secondly it's got yet more products for you to buy hanging from it. And of course the bright Cypriot sun is shining in making for impossible contrast ranges.
This one took a lot of compromises and a lot of post processing to get anything like a set of pictures out of it.
Go to the album of Paul and Natalie's shop in Polemi.
The building work is starting early November - so if you want to experience one of the last traditional village stores in Cyprus - get in there now.
