On Sunday morning, the group left Limassol for Paphos. We first stopped at Aphrodite’s Rock, which I have been excited to see ever since the beginning of the trip. I’ve been interested in Greek mythology ever since I was a kid, so this particular stop was of great interest to me. When we got to the destination, we saw a man swimming circles around the rock. This was an interesting display of the local myth that if you swim three circles around Aphrodite‘s rock, you will gain eternal, true love. Additionally, the view of the surrounding area was breathtaking. I was astonished by the mix of the mountain range and shore line. Additionally, the beach was decorated with multicolored rocks which added to the area’s charm.

After, the group headed to ancient Cypriot Greek burial sites. I have always been interested in the different procedures for after-death preparation in varying cultures. I personally believe that the methods to put individuals to rest are good ways to comprehend certain aspects of different cultures. In this site, we learned that the ancient Cypriot Greeks would bury their loved ones underground in crypts, where their bodies would be buried in the walls.

Later on, we went to the part of Paphos on the coast line, where we had lunch and walked around the beach. I decided to try more traditional food, Dolmadakias. I was glad to have been adventurous with my food choices at this moment because it made me feel more familiar with Cypriot Mediterranean cuisine as a whole. Food is such an important aspect of culture, and I felt that my last week should be spent immersing myself in the culture as much as possible. It was nice to understand the ingredients and tastes that are frequent throughout Greek Cypriot food. I plan to continue trying new things and maintaining adventurous eating practices for the remaining week.