The Cypriots claim that their island is situated perfectly at the center of the world map. The rest of the world, at least the Western world, has a difficult time locating Cyprus simply because most people don’t know it exist. Once a Westerner like myself discovers the island, it becomes the first country noticed on any map.
I happened to come across the island because I was searching for a study-abroad program that would allow me to visit more than one country.
You are probably wondering where Cyprus is. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey, west of the Middle East, and northeast of Africa. Strategically, it is the ideal place for globetrotters wanting to jump from one country to another and have, literally, a central spot. From there I was able to travel to Athens for the weekend. My entire weekend trip did not go over $300. I also went to Budapest, Amsterdam, Belgium, Luxembourg and Paris. Incredibly inexpensive cruises are available to more exotic countries like Egypt and Syria as well.
Being especially close to both Greece and Turkey, it is not a surprise that the Cypriot culture is heavily influenced by both countries. Cypriots consider themselves either Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots. The northern part of the island is called the Turkish Republic of Cyprus, a republic that is only recognized by Turkey. In order to cross the "Green Line," the border, into either side, a visa is required. Although I visited the Turkish side of the country, I spent my stay on the Greek side.
Cypriots, whether of Greek or Turkish decent, are friendly people who love to socialize and are very trusting of each other. They say that crime is almost nonexistent in the island. To give you an idea, I was staying with two other girls in an apartment in downtown Nicosia. One of my roommates and I decided to go for a walk one night around our neighborhood. We came along this gated area that from the sidewalk looked like a park. We decided to enter and continue our walk there but when we advanced about 10 feet in, a light went on. We understood it was private property so we left. No one chased us, called us, no chaos broke out. When we finally saw the sign outside, we had accidentally entered the presidential palace. If it would've been in any other country, our mistake would've landed our picture on page one of the New York Times. Everyone is about relaxing there and everything seems to be a gathering. In the United States, for example, it is not unusual for a person to go to a coffee house in sweatpants to sit by himself or herself reading a book. In Cyprus, going to a coffee house consists of putting together an outfit and calling a few friends to meet you there. The entire country has a very laid-back feel to it. Days in Cyprus are long. Normally between noon and 3pm the Cypriot world closes down for a break. Work is done usually by 6pm and dinner starts at around 9pm. Nobody is ever in a rush to do anything.
For my first weekend in Cyprus, I stayed in a beach town called Ayia Napa. The sand was as white as sand could get. The water was perfectly clear and warm. Because Cyprus is developing quickly into a Western-like country, Ayia Napa made me feel for the first time like I was in the Mediterranean. Indeed I was. The white-and-blue architecture against the deep blue of the sea was what I was expecting the Mediterranean to look like. How cliche, but that is what I wanted. This is also where I had my first culturally shocking experience in the country. Oddly enough, the experience was not a result of anything any Cypriot did. As I self-consciously walked looking for an empty beach chair, I made sure to pick a spot that was not surrounded by too many people. I really did not want to lounge next to any skinny bikini-wearing women either. Lucky for me, the beach was full of heavier women that made me feel like Tyra Banks posing for Victoria’s Secret. Not only was the beach full of shapelier women, but they confidently wore bikinis. String bikinis. I was stunned and happy at the same time. In another part of the world, with different kinds of tourist, I would not have taken my towel off. That day I indulged in the freedom that came with the atmosphere. When traveling to the island, one must be aware that for the time being, the Cyprus pound is stronger then the American dollar and the Euro. I believe the euro will be adopted in 2007. If there is no budget planning before the trip, you're going to find yourself worrying more about money then you thought. The recommended thing to do, if you are staying for a week or more, is to go grocery shopping. Most hotels have kitchenettes so you can store your things. Also, take advantage that you are in the grocery store and use your debit card instead of a credit card. This way you can have the cashier give you money back without having to pay the ATM fee, which can run at about $5 every time you use it.
Money issues aside, Cyprus is a great place to visit if you like the beach. For those who like history and mythology, the country is the home of the Greek goddess Aphroditis. It is also a significant place in the early Christian church’s history. Barnabas was born there and Paul mentions the Island a few times in the Bible. Cyprus was also occupied by the British until 1960. Because of this, English is an official language, making it easy to communicate with Cypriots. Cyprus is about indulging in the atmosphere. It’s recognizing that, although the country is divided, people live in peace and they are sure to enjoy it. It is also about taking time to savor every bite of every meal, making your coffee last for 3 hours and knowing that you looked good while you drank it.