My third day in Cyprus exposed me to a maritime training center and the more rural areas in the country.

To start off the day, we took another bus ride to Limassol. On this ride, I got to view the beautiful coastline that Cyprus offers. Even on a Wednesday morning, there were ample people swimming, fishing, and just enjoying the beach. We got to the Maritime training center and started with an orientation of the facility. In this orientation, I learned that this was a school responsible for training men and women to operate Cargo ships that deliver freight around the world. Our tour guide was exuberant and clearly passionate about his job. He explained that these training centers didn’t exist until about 20 years ago when it was decided that something needed to be done about the rising levels of collisions between ships and onboard fires. These types of accidents while at seas were tragedies that resulted in both the loss of human life and money. In order to train the students to eventually be able to command a ship safely, realistic computer simulations were used which exactly mimicked what would be found onboard. These simulations appeared to be incredibly complex to me, and they could even simulate potential accidents that a crew would have to deal with. Overall, I was amazed that a place like this even existed and had such advanced technology, and I also felt grateful. During the tour, I learned that 90-95% percent of products that you get at a store like Walmart have been delivered overseas on a ship. Without the work of the people I saw today, the level of abundance that I experience would not be possible.

Later in the day, we traveled into the mountains and experienced more of Cyprian culture. On the drive over to a village, the scenery was breathtaking and unlike anything I’d seen in the United States before. This trip has reminded me how enormous the world is and how many cultures exist that are wildly different than my own. When we arrived at the village, I asked the tour guide what the people do in a small and remote village like this. She replied that they mostly work in the tourist industry or as farmers. At lunch, we were treated to another family-style meal that included many different courses. I feel like eating Cypriot food gives me the best idea of their culture, as I not only learn what they like to eat but also get a glimpse into their lifestyle. Meals in Cyprus are consumed slowly, with an emphasis on spending quality time with friends or family. While at lunch today, I could definitely feel our group coming closer together as we shared food.

All in all, I had a fun and informative third day where I pushed my boundaries culturally.