Bon Voyage to Khan

By Margaret Sheard….

Many people in North Cyprus will know Khan Sarfraz.  I have known him for a number of years and although I had not seen him for a while, it was perhaps a coincidence to see him again when we called at Al Shaheen for a late supper recently.

Khan told us he has decided to return to Pakistan after 21 years living in North Cyprus and he will be leaving on 14^th November to return to his village near Islamabad.  He came to North Cyprus as an 18 year old and worked mainly as a Bar Manager at many places including The Courtyard, Rafters, The Grove, Tropicana and Le Jardin.   Now he said, it is time to go home.   I am sure that his wife and three children, a daughter and two sons, will be pleased to have him back permanently.

It was nice to sit and chat with Khan after he had finished his meal with Imtiaz and Mohsan at Al Shaheen.

There was a farewell party for Khan on Tuesday 11^th November at Le Jardin where there were many people gathered to say Bon Voyage and all the best for the future.  Khan’s farewell gift was a lovely curry for his friends and guests and Şenol had come along to provide some music for the occasion.  There were some familiar faces present and we shared a table with a new acquaintance, Colin, and had a nice chat with him.  Towards the end of the evening Chris and Colin realised they had met before at the Paradise Club where they had been talking to our friend and fellow writer Engin Dervişağa who many people will know for his outside broadcast programme Vox Pop for BRT2 TV.

Imtiaz from Al Shaheen appeared and was soon behind the bar helping out.

It was a lovely evening and I am sure all of Khan’s friends will join us in wishing him well for the future with his family in Pakistan.