Houses of Worship
Today was our second full day in Cyprus, and we visited two religious sites important to the Cypriot culture. The first was the Hala Sultan Tekke, a mosque and burial site of Umma Haram, a companion of the prophet Muhammad. The second stop was at the Holy Church of St. Lazarus, an Orthodox Church known for its rich history, evident in the architectural style of its construction and subsequent additions through the years. I found it very interesting to learn about the history of the two religions in Cyprus. While Christianity is most prevalent, the island’s position near the holy land means that throughout its history of conquest, the influences of both major religions have left their mark. Even in the modern day, our guide discussed the implications of the Cypriot-Turk divide, with coexistence of Christians and Muslims. Additionally, it was very pleasant to experience the beautiful architecture of both.
Larnaca Beach
After visiting the Holy Church of St. Lazarus, we broke for free time in the coastal city of Larnaca, where we flew in to only a few days ago. We all headed for the beach, to enjoy the hot sun and cooling water of the sea. I walked around the Larnaca Medieval Fort, and the Djami Kebir Mosque (whose minaret can be seen next to the fort in the image below). It was interesting to think about the kinds of defenses were needed to protect the island in the past, especially given its strategic location and material wealth in copper.
Retail Therapy
If being on a mediterranean island wasn’t enough therapy, going shopping would surely fix me. I ventured away from the sea and onto the narrow streets of Larnaca to the many shops and kiosks lining them. I bought a linen shirt for 5 euros (undoubtably of questionable sourcing) and enough souvenirs and gifts to make everyone at home happy. One thing not lost on me was the very low prices of nearly everything, compared to at home or other tourist destinations. I think that Cyprus, being primarily a destination for other Europeans, can’t as much get away with typical tourist trap pricing. Though skeptical of the quality of what I was buying, I appreciated being able to get so many items without spending so much.
Above: Certainly a unique style for Cypriots to rock. I wonder how this clearly American shirt ended up in a store in Larnaca. Did it have anything similar to do with the sourcing of my 5 Euro linen shirt?