My name is Andrie Pagonis
and was born in Coventry, England and having Greek
Cypriot parents raised and studied in England as a
nurse. Having got engaged to a Greek Cypriot boy which I
met in Cyprus on holiday took him to England for 5 years
which he then wanted to move back to Cyprus in September
1992.
Coming back to Cyprus
and living in Kalavasos village was hard to adjust as
everything was so different, culture and lifestyle.
Trying to fit in and finding things do took a while as
not many things to do in the village.
Then one day courses
started in the village to try and help the young Greek
women living in villages to keep the traditional things
going e.g. crochet, lace making, making jams,
candle-making etc.
So having nothing else
to do and wanting to learn these things I went to these
lessons every week.
We took trips to see
different things being made around Cyprus, and one day
took a trip to the Aromatic Herbs in Nicosia which I
found very interesting,
Having taken a lot of
information Mrs Maria Coutri who teaches us the courses
gave me an idea, she said as you are living in an
Agro-Tourism village and having the land, and not being
able to go out to work as having now a family of 4
children couldn't go out to work, plant Aromatic herbs
which the tourists can see the herbs, how they are
grown, what there uses are, and how they can help us in
our everyday lives rather than having to rely on
medicines and tablets all the time.
So now in March 2005
have opened a shop under the basement of my house have
planted 1 acre of 16 different kinds of herbs which are
grown organically.
Also a shop which I sell
the herbs, I offer free teas which you can try before
you buy.
I have natural oils made
from the herbs and also candles made from bees wax which
I do myself. I have also natural soaps also made from
the herbs.
Now, having lived in
Kalavasos village for 12 years my life is content with
my family and around based my work which I thourghly
enjoy.
My Herb Garden is
situated about 200 metres off the Kalavasos exit on the
motorway towards Nicosia, towards the village on the
right.
It is sight well worth
visiting, quiet with greenery all round, different kinds
of trees and a vineyard. Learn all there is to know, so
don't hesitate do come along not to be missed.
We are Open
From Mon – Sat
9.30 –12.30
3.00 – 6.00
Andrie Pagonis.
