There's Something about Cyprus

A divided island

After British colonial rule, the island has been invaded and fought over ever since.

Nicosia is a divided capital and I believe the last in the world. I was thinking that maybe Jerusalem but maybe its not divided. I could do some research into this but Im sure someone out there will correct me on this.

Since it's been approximately 50 years since the islands been in some kinda conflict, it will take a miracle for the two sides to come to a compromise. Greek families who were pushed out of their homes to the south, want reimbursement or their homes back. Some kinda payback for their loss.

Wikipedia- Cyprus

I visited Cyprus approximately 6 years ago after I graduated from Uni. Acctually, miscalculating when my final exams would be, I booked my ticket the week OF my final exams. Luckily I had a real good relationship with my professors at the time and they were willing to give me my exams the week before.

Me at the Tomb of the Kings, 2006

Excepts from my 2006 travel diary: Next stop was the church in Mautoullas. The ride down to the village was stressful. The villlage was on the side of a hill. It went up in a way that reminded me of Lord of the Rings.
      But that is the view once you get out. While you're in, its narrow roads and scarey turns. We get to the church that is on an outcrop looking over the village. The church was locked and we were told to go to Cafe Neo and ask for Kostas. The same as yesterday. We thought it was ironic. Well we go down a couple of streets. And this is not just walking a couple of blocks. I literally mean we had to walk down, down steps, down slopes.
     Kostas finds what I suppose is suppose to be a cafe but was a dump with 3 surly people init. They said Kosta was in Limassol and told us to go to the Father's house. We both had to pee in the most extreme way. I have Kostas ask about a toilet and the direct us to the back of the building. So, we go back there and it is more disgusting then what I percieve Krys's hatchet bathroom was like. We didnt go there.
    So, in search of the Father. We eventually find him but I guess he didnt have the key. He also confirmed that Kostas was not around. OK, so we gave this church up for a loss. So far, this day is not shaping up to be much. We found someone who will let us follow them to the next church which was in the next town over and somehow connected to the other village. January 2, 2007

Some of this makes no sense to me. Or:

Koutrafas was the village and church name. The village was obviously poor and had probably suffered from the occupation.  (Im guessing this town is on the border of the green line)
Panayiota had lived on the other side of the green line pre-invasion. (Who is Panayiota?) December 29-2006

Next came Theodokus, just up the road from our hotel in Kakopetria. We had to get the key from the guy at the butcher shop across from the street. Thank goodness I had Kostas with me otherwise my poor Greek would have been put to the ultimate test. He gave us the key and we got to enjoy the icons and frescos.Some were badly damaged but now they keep a good eye on it.
   It was a cute quant church in a green yard surrounded by modern civilization.

Im hoping that on this trip I'll get to revisit some of these mysterious churches and ancient sites.

Top 10 Places:
1.Temple of Apollo- Limassol
2. The churches of the Troodos Mountains

3. Haloumi
4. Petra tou Romiou
5. Paphos mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings
6. Panagia tis Podythou & Panagia Theotokou
7. Ancient Kourion
8. Kition
9. Ancient Amathous
10. Buying spanikopita at any time of the night :)

Hopefully, this trip will include a lot of laying in the sun and going to the beach. Its summertime and I plan to get a lot of sun this year. :-)