This morning we enjoyed our first of many traditional Cypriot breakfasts. Hollumi was served grilled and raw with others cheeses and meats as well as eggs, vegetables, fruits, hummus, yogurt, and breads. We filled up for our day at the university.
It was about an hour bus ride from Limassol to Nicosia where UNIC is. At the university we had an official orientation and a history lecture of the complicated past of Cyprus:
Although cyprus is a small island nation it’s strategic location north of Egypt, west of Syria and other middle eastern countries and its proximity to Turkey and Greece created massive competition for the land. Cyprus’s history begins with various rulers and kingdoms cycling through from Roman rule, Byzantine, Richard the lion heart knights of the temple, Frankish rule, Venetian rule, ottoman rule, British rule, and eventually reaching independence by 1960. All of these cultures left their individual mark on Cyprus through the architecture, politics, and social norms. US history is usually considered to start within the last few centuries but Cypriot history is commonly studied from as early as 100 B.C.
In the afternoon we were able to explore the campus and get lunch. The university lunch was amazing, and afterwards we could look around the campus and met a few other study abroad students from Clemson, Ohio, and other American university’s.
To prepare us for the weeks ahead we had a Greek crash course to learn common phrases and words. All of the Cypriots were so appreciative of us trying their language and engaging in their culture.
On the ride back from Nicosia to Limassol we passed through the country side and learned about plants that have adapted to survive without water. The vegetation in this region only gets rain between November to March. On top of a large hill we saw the monastery of St. Helena which is the largest where the first cross was believed to be found and one of the only monastery to still not allow any women at all.
When we arrived back in Limassol we had a walking tour to see all of the new changes in architecture in the old town. Old tradition places have been torn down and replaced with modern buildings and high rises destroying history. The Limassol marina has many areas that were under construction with flashy photos advertising what was coming soon. Our tour guide gave us the Cypriot side of how all of this is changing which is something we would have never known as tourists. It was all very interesting to hear about and then be able to see the exact history and the changes happening to the country.
