Larnaca Beach Day

We had a three day weekend for Carnival, the start of Lent.  As most Cypriots are Greek Orthodox, we are a few months behind the Roman calendar.  A friend and I hopped a bus, and took a day trip to check out the port city of Larnaca.  It is a lovely little port city with an old Ottoman castle, and a very old Christian church that housed the remains of St Lazarus.

Larnaca Beach

complete view of the Church of St Lazarus

Gorgeous Orthodox Church of St Lazarus

Tomb of St Lazarus (who rose from the dead)

 

Greek Mosaics, 2nd-4th century

Paphos is a lovely seaside city on the southern coast of Cyprus.  In the 1960s, Cypriots archeologists discovered hundreds of mosaics, most of which decorated the floors of the homes of Greek governors in 300-500 CE.   Hundreds of thousands of tiny stones of all colors, shipped in from across the many lands conquered by the Greeks.   The Cypriot Historical Society began revitalizing them in the 1960s, and the work continues today.

Below is a sampling- the care and detail in creating these is amazing.

Marsyas being sentenced to death by Apollo for losing
a lute-playing competition

Theseus, with club in hand, and the Minotaur, about to be defeated, in the Labyrinth

the detail in these mosaics was astounding: Ambrosia holding a jug of water
for the famous "bath" of Achilles (the baby seated in the lower right)

The Four Seasons:  Winter

The Four Seasons:  Spring

Narcissis, gazing lovingly at his reflection in the pond

Observations on Cypriots

1.  They love salt.  2-3 teaspoons of salt on everything, from salads to pasta to soup.

2.  The women dress very appropriately- jeans and jackets in winter, shorts and t-shirts in summer.  This is a great contrast to Panama, where women crammed themselves into tight jeans and 6" heels to go to the grocery store.

3.  Education is very valued here.  Everyone goes to college, and many people have advanced degrees. Everyone speaks some English, most are fluent in Greek and English, and a surprising number are also fluent in Russian and/or French.

4.  Many Cypriots don't often leave the island.  Flights off island are expensive and inconveniently timed, and on-island, we have beaches, desert, mountains, skiing, diving, hiking, urban, and rural olive farms.

5. However, when they do leave, they go to London, usually for university.  Almost every Cypriot I know either grew up in London, studied in London, or has siblings currently living in London.

6. Thus, many Cypriots think Cyprus is dead boring- probably b/c their only point of comparison is the amazing bustling metropolis of London.

7.  They say "Bravo" when you agree or understand anything.  Even the man who sold me a memory foam pillow said "Bravo" when I told him that I already owned a king size pillowcase.

8. They are welcoming and kind, and I am very happy to get the chance to know them.

Race day

I completed a 5K this morning.  In October, I massively injured my foot during an AISC staff competition.  I couldn't put any weight on it for a few weeks, and started to (carefully) work out again in December.  I'm still not back to 100%, but am happy that I can finish a 5K (mostly walking, but that gave me time to take a lot of pictures of the course).

The start/finish line, right next to the castle

and the 5Ks are off!

Cyprus flag, Greek flag, gorgeous lighthouse in the background

nice view for the last 2 kilometers

My friend Laramie running like a Greek goddess at the finish line

I finished!  And even ran for a bit.  I owe my finish to the Killers, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beck, Oasis, and Madonna.  Upon returning home, I got into the hottest bath I could stand, and it helped.  I might be a little gimpy tomorrow,  but I did it.

Lovely Paphos

Paphos is on the southern side of the island.  Some friends and I spent the weekend there- partially to see the city, partially to visit the mosaics, partially to run the Paphos Logicom Races (5K for me, 10K for another, and 1/2 marathon for two others).   Here are some of the sights:

daisies

Paphos Harbor

an Ottoman castle, used to for centuries to store salt

same castle, different view

Poppies in the spring- this looks like a Klimt painting to me

the Paphos seafront