Today, the group went to the Turkish side of Cyprus and visited a few different sites. One of the most profound things that I have experienced on the trip so far was visiting the Ghost Town in Famagusta. Learning more about how Greeks Cypriots were removed from their own homes during the Turkish invasion allowed me to better grasp the things they had lost during the time. People didn’t just lose their homes. They lost the lives they knew and everything they worked for up until that point.

Today Greek Cypriots still want compensation for all that they lost during the Turkish invasion. People are also debating giving the land to developers to make new hotels and revitalize the area. The conflict and debate between the Turkish Cyprus side and the Greek side of Cyprus are unique to any geographical division that I have ever seen before. One of the guides told us to think about the circumstances as if it were our own homes that we lost. Empathizing with the people who were removed from their homes made me think about how much anger and despair I would still hold to this day. This is a controversial topic in Cyprus and is understandable since people have yet to be given suitable compensation.

Another aspect of our day that was different than the ones before was that we met many people who were surprised to meet Americans. I’ve never been to a destination that is mainly a European tourist spot and a place that Americans rarely travel to. Seeing this firsthand, I hope, made it clear that the way we go out in public is important because we’re representing Americans as a whole and the way people see us. One way I think we could make a good impression is to attempt to use the Greek language when speaking to people.