On April Fool’s Day, while some people got pranked in one form or another back in the States, Cypriots celebrated yet another Monday holiday, EOKA day. EOKA (Εθνική Οργάνωσις Κυπρίων Αγωνιστών, Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston (Greek for National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters) is a Greek-Cypriot paramilitary organization that fought against British colonial rule. EOKA began their military campaign on April 1, 1955.

(You can read more detailed info. about EOKA here.)

If you read my other posts about Cypriot celebrated holidays (Green Monday on 3/18, Greek Independence Day on 3/25), then you know EOKA Day (on 4/1) is the third consecutive Monday holiday in a row.

Naturally I assumed that grocery stores would be closed on holidays, so I planned ahead and purchased enough groceries to last through the first Monday holiday. To my surprise, grocery stores were open on Green Monday. Grocery stores happened to be open on Greek Independence Day as well.

(Photo above: Metro grocery store open on Green Monday. Taken March 18, 2013.)

One would also think grocery stores would be open on EOKA Day too. Right? Nope. It just goes to show you that you should never assume anything in Cyprus.

I have no idea what Greek-Cypriots did on EOKA Day, but I guess this would be considered their Independence Day. By the way, did you know that the UK has no independence day? Food for thought.