My day started unlike any day at home, waking up early and eating a really good breakfast. The food served at breakfast was not anything to exotic, everything offered, besides beans, would not have been out of place in America. I decided to have a cappuccino, and at the press of a button I had its beautiful frothy goodness. I ate some cheese squares and really fresh and tasty fruit cups.
As a group, our day started with a walking tour of New City Nicosia. Both Cyprus One and Two met in freedom square, a bridge connecting Old City and New City Nicosia. As it was explained to us, this square, a bridge over the Venetian’s planned moat, was designed by Zaha Hadid. She was a famous British-Iraqi designer how had planned a modern bridge to connect these two parts of the city. The square took a while to be built, having multiple contractors taking over the project over the time of its development. Unfortunately, the project did not come into fruition before the designers demise.
Our walking tour consisted of a lot of walking, looking, stopping, and talking. We were shown around a good majority of the New city, walking up and down the two main streets. Good places to eat and get coffee were pointed out to us as we walked, but not that much history was explained about the new city because there was not much history to the new city. After our tour we were given freedom to get lunch, where some of my peers and I ate at Cathodon, where we would later find out we were also eating dinner.
We were then taken to the University of Nicosia where we were had an Orientation for our time in Cyprus. Most of the information given there we had also received from Dr. Bursic and Frank, but a refresher was much appreciated. We then had a quick walk around the University and made a trip to the pharmacy to get tested for Covid as requested by MedoChemie, the company that we will be visiting the following day. Luckily, everyone tested negative.
We then split back into our smaller groups and given a short break which I utilized for a nap. Cyprus Two was then accompanied by a local tour guide, Dimitra. She knew a lot about the history of Old city, explaining the history of the Venetians, Ottomans, and British and their times on the island. She took us around the old city and showed us the history of the city through all the historic religious buildings. Her explanations made it very easy to understand and visualize the occupancy of each group and the power struggle between different political and religious powers.
After that tour, we met up with Cyprus One’s group and had a tradition Cypriot family dinner. The dinner consisted of many delicious courses, all being equally shared among us.
Day one was one to remember, but I am excited for everything yet to come.