Our Tuesday started with a long bus ride to Famagusta which included crossing the buffer zone, picking up an Turkish Cypriot escort, and some impressive maneuvering by our driver. When we got to Famagusta, our first activity was exploring and learning about the cities largest mosque. We were informed that the mosque used to be catholic cathedral, and was transformed during the Ottoman empire to be used by the Muslims who just arrived on the island. We then got some free time to eat and walk around the town. There was an old palace integrated into the area, and some of the outer walls were even used as the border of a parking lot. We also climbed the towns old border walls, which gave a great view of the water with mountains in the background.

We then went to Famagusta’s ghost town, which was completely abandoned during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Before then, it was one of the premier tourist spots on the Island, and since the Greek Cypriots fled it’s been toured for much different reasons. Many of the buildings are crumbling, and they all had signs in front of them warning us to be careful. We ended up walking to the beach area, and got a good view of the complete city that was abandoned. It was sad to hear how such a once prosperous and beautiful city is now completely empty and falling apart. Many people with fulfilling and successful careers were forced out of their homes and lost everything. This is one of the conflicts that has led to lasting distaste between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots. There was even one Greek man in the ghost town who believed it was still their right to own Famagusta.

Fortunately for us, our spirits were lifted by a cute and friendly dog that followed us all the way from the beach back to our bus. Every time it would run away, it always came back. When we got near the bus, it found a corn cob, and gnawed on it the rest of the time we were there, leading to us naming it Corndog. Corndog was a pleasant turn to a somber story of Famagusta’s history. After this, we went over to the beach to relax for a few hours before the day ended. Tomorrow we start our company visits and I can’t wait!