Sunday, June 9, 2013

Kalimera, Cyprus!



End of May 2013. My first time on the island of Cyprus, altough this place is only an hour flight from Tel Aviv. The wave of heat outside, and the  Mediterranean  beaches make me immediately feel at home.

This little island country has lately been in the world news because of financial restrictions imposed on its citizens. Like  other western or semi-western countries, Cyprus has a lot of rich people, but the country's money bag seems to be empty. How so?

Well, the usual triangle of bankers, politicians, Media . This triangle  generates  financial manipulations which lead to corruption,  and ultimately to the country's high debt and the need for austere measures to prevent collapse. Familiar, isn't it?

There are a lot of foreigners here and  they appear to be doing well, especially the brits and the russians. It seems they have found here, most of the distant world  "paradises" : Canada without the fierce cold, USA without the tornadoes and hurricanes, Australia without its 'end of the world'  location.

Cyprus is a member of the European Union, and the old continent of Europe with all its giant problems is still considered by many the heart and brains of the world.

 
Cyprus is known for its fine lace and handwork,  best olive oil,  exquisite wines. Also for its beautiful songs and talented singers that participate  at the  annual Eurovision contest. 



However,its most famous icon is the late archibishop Makarios who was the first president of the Republic of Cyprus, a great political and religious personality. Major streets were named after  him, statues erected in his memory.


Nicosia, the capital city, is the last divided capital in Europe. It's divided between  turkish cypriots and greek cypriots. The 'border' crossing in Nicosia between the two parts of the city, located at the end of the pedestrian shopping street, Ledra,  looks kind of strange in the eyes of a tourist.  The impressive Monument, though, near the police station on the greek side of the crossing, is  definitely worth a visit to the spot.




44 comments:

  1. I will try again, something didn't work...

    Cyprus is an interesting place. I would love to browse the laces and scarves, but what really caught my attention was the peace monument. I wonder what is going off: words? ideas? ... it looks like spray from fireworks or a volcano!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Dimple,

    You and your camera would have come up with a great Macro of this amazing piece of modern art.

    I'm afraid I have no details about it. I'm not even sure of its name. Some call it Monument to Peace and some call it Monument to Human Rights claiming that it expresses the turkish cypriots' bad attitude to human rights of the greek cypriots. (The base of the monument has metal greek letters and symbols).

    So I've decided to call it the monument at the Ledra border crossing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You had a very nice travel!
    The photos show the beauty of simplicity and the calm life on the island, that makes Cyprus the ideal location. But the 'border' crossing in Nicosia reminds the past that was not so quiet.
    I’m sure, that the divided city, made you also feel at home. I wish we could resolve, like them, the conflict in our country.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks Rodica for your sweet comment.

    I definitely agree with your analogy of the border crossing in Nicosia and border crossings in our country.

    It's high time that peace and quiet prevail at all border crossings.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Duta,
    Thanks for visiting, and for attempting to explain the monument. I saw the letters at the base, that is why I mentioned words and ideas, but I suppose each person who views it will interpret it differently. It might be enlightening to ask the artist, if one could, what the intention was.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such an interesting monument. I too googled to find more information on it and there really isn't much explaining just what the monument means, maybe that is what the beauty of the monument is in that it makes us all wonder and think and come up with ideas of what the artist or artists meant by it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The financial situation is awful.
    Our country should have arrested the bankers and thrown them in the jail.
    Corruption is everywhere. That looks like a nice place to visit, we are getting to 75 degree today in Maine.
    The flowers are blooming all at once?
    Global warming? Is it the canary in the coal mine?
    Duta, when I first saw the monument it looked like a bomb.Hope I am not
    just seeing bad lately, wish we could all live in harmony. The effort and money spent could do so much for the world. I like your post. Next week I will be happy
    and not watch the news.
    yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  8. You're welcome!
    There was no name of the artist on it, and I regret not entering the information office to ask details about this monument. I'll keep on searching, maybe I'll find some answers.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Exactly, Yvonne. The bankers should have been arrested and forced to return money.

    Everything nowadays seems to be against us, even the climate. Hope we shall overcome the obstacles in life, and reach some better times.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Alicia, the monument immediately catches one's eye.It has a certain power and originality about it that no visitor remains indifferent to it.

    You're right; it makes us think, wonder, and come up with ideas of what its message conveys.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I enjoyed this. Good pictures and it looks like there was a cowgirl in one.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks a lot, One Fly. Coming from you, the phrase "good pictures" is very flattering as the pictures in your own blog are masterpieces and indicate great talent on your part.

    Actually, I need a better camera; in the meantime, I do what I can.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ola querida amiga,adorei conhecer este belo lugar através de tuas lindas fotografias e de teu talentoso e explicativo texto.Adorei tua visitinha e aqui deixo meu grande abraço.SU

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Suzane,

    Thank you for your kind comment.
    Cyprus is a beautiful place, and indeed, worth a visit.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Like so many outdoor pieces of artwork that last one leave me undone. I tend more to understand classical pieces instead of jubbles that appear in someone else's mind. Now for the blue ocean, I could sit there and relax like a big kitty. However, I would have loved to got up close and personal with the handwork and lace shops. My kind of store. Peace

    ReplyDelete
  16. From your blog I know how much you love nature, art, beautiful and interesting things.

    I think you would have liked this outdoor work by the Ledra crossing point in Nicosia. There's something about it that leaves no one indifferent to it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love all of your pictures, Duta, but the first and last are my favorites. The calm of the water, and the frenzy of the art...I very much love the contrast. My country isn't in the best financial shape, either. I'm growing tired of politicians...very tired.

    ReplyDelete
  18. THANK YOU, BICA, FOR LIKING THE PICTURES.YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE FIRST AND THE LAST.

    POLITICIANS ARE THE SOURCE OF ALL EVIL.THEY DON'T SOLVE PROBLEMS, THEY CREATE AND AGGRAVATE THEM.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hey Duta, Just saw they are giving tickets away for a one way trip to Mars. It's true, they are going to start a colony on Mars. They should
    send all one religion there. Then
    maybe they won't end up killing each other. I have a neighbor, I'd like to get a ticket for. Ha ha ha
    yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  20. I agree about Politicians, I used to
    hear used car salesmen were people
    to watch out for. Politicians are way
    worse, double talk and graft. They
    are usually from the other side of the tracks, and get this election to line their pockets.
    By-th-way I only have one pain in the butt neighbor. Getting a new one on the right side sounds like a winner and Artist. So I may do a post on her work.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks Yvonne for visiting again.

    I must admit that politicians and bad neighbors are my biggest nightmare. These two categories of people can easily make life miserable.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I learn something new each time I visit your blog.
    Rick

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for your visit and your kind words.

    ReplyDelete
  24. It's amazing the things you can learn when you visit a place!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Indeed, Tanya,and in a short time. I've stayed there for a week only and came back richer in knowledge about a lot of things.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh, I would so love to visit Cyprus!
    I know you had a wonderful trip.
    So nice to get to know the country through this wonderful post!
    Thank you, Duta.
    And so nice to be visiting you again.
    I don't visit many blogs these days.
    Just too busy with my little Rose :)
    Take care.
    Be well, be happy.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Good to hear from you Margie! Little Rose is now for you the entire world (inclusive Cyprus).In her blue eyes,the beauty of the whole world is reflected. Enjoy it!

    ReplyDelete
  28. What's up, dear one?? Just thinking of you, thought I'd drop by & say hello. Hope you're doing well - if by the looks of this post, it's YES! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like seeing your photos of these different places...Cyprus has been on the news...it is pretty

    ReplyDelete
  30. Thanks for visiting, Susannah. Yes, I'm well, thank you; hope all's well with you too. I write rarely now, but I keep reading my favorite blogs. I miss your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Kim@Stuff,

    Well, photos as you know are "worth a thousand words" , and Cyprus has lately become an itriguing country. I'm glad you like the combination.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hiya, kiddo! Here's a bit of the writing I've done these past few years: Humble Beginning , My People ; at the end of 'My People' there's a link to my short story "Virgin Snow" that the same magazine published...

    Also, you've inspired me to put more on my blog. Thanks. :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. You're a fine writer, Susannah! Keep up the good work, as they say.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks Duta~ I appreciate your feedback. :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. This looks like such a nice place to visit!

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Yes, it does Gina.
    Thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Connie,

    Welcome, and thanks for your kind comment.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hallo, DUTA!!! :)

    I missed your blog posts. This one is again filled with beautiful images, even though from a 'sad' (imho) location.

    A few weeks ago I saw on the german TV(News), that thanks to the whole greek & greek cypriot money shortage (some)people have started to go for Turkey to seek jobs & security... and I keep thinking, better stay in Greece & be poor than move somewhere, where Erdoğan is the Boss. :(

    ReplyDelete
  39. Pink Panthress,

    Thanks for visiting. I miss your blogs too.

    As for going to Turkey I tend to agree with you. However, there's trouble for Erdoan there, so maybe the Turks will replace him with someone better soon.

    Have a Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Dear Duta
    I wish you a wonderful and happy New Year full of joy, good health and love.

    Shalom

    Love
    Margie

    ReplyDelete