My first impression of Cyprus, when I arrived at the airport on Sunday, was how calm it seemed compared to other destinations I have been to. The easygoing nature of Cyprus became more apparent throughout the rest of the day. I came to understand how laid-back certain aspects of Cypriot culture are compared to the United States. When we went to dinner later that evening, we noticed that the attitude revolving around dining was very laid back. This is something that I would like to bring into my daily life back home in the future. Spending more time during your meals to relax and interact with those around you makes meals a more intimate experience with friends and family. We also got to experience new foods like Halloumi, which I always aim to do when visiting new locations. Food is one part of foreign cultures that directly allows individuals to become acquainted with local traditions. By learning about and tasting foods significant to particular cultures, I feel as though I further immersed myself in Cyprus’s culture on our first day.

As we drove from the airport in Larnaca to the hotel in Limassol, I noticed many differences in the nature and architecture. Firstly, the sandstone in the mountains was something I had never seen before. It was a completely new site, and made me excited to see more of the island’s nature. We also noticed a number of new and old buildings in Cyprus, and I gained an appreciation for how the buildings seemed to be unique while also matching each other and the scenery. In addition, I noticed many churches and other religious structures that caught my attention. The style of the churches greatly differed from those near my house, which made me curious to learn why that was the case. As a whole, the first day in Cyprus caused my overall excitement and enthusiasm for the trip to increase.