Staycation in Cyprus

Although it's taken two months to post, I want to share my staycation adventures with you all.  From Dec 28-Jan 8, I explored a lot of the awesome things that cyprus has to offer.  And there really is a lot to offer, such as:

The chamber orchestra with both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots
playing together

outside of a nunnery in the Troodos mountains

the most Cypriot picture ever:  a cat, sunshine, and
an Orthodox religious icon

the nunnery close

My friend Eleni adopted me for New Year's Eve.  That meant joining her extended family for dinner- I think we were 25 people total.  Every family member brought a dish to share, the hostess (her aunt) made about a dozen dishes, and there were 3 tables set up throughout the living room.  We were at the "kids table" with all of the cousins (everyone was in their 20s and 30s).  At midnight, we cut the Vasilikon Cake (what Creoles would call a King Cake)- the person who found the hidden coin in the cake gets good luck all year.  Sadly, I did not get the piece with the coin.

you can see 3 of the 20 dishes

Vasilikon Cake

Cyprus has a lot of different climates.  I drove an hour to Larnaca, and walked on the beach on Jan 1- it was pretty empty, but for a few Swedish tourists out for a stroll.  The next day, I drove an hour to the mountains, and played in the snow.

On New Years Day, I walked on the beach 

the lovely monastery at Bellapais

I even spent some time in a lovely tea house owned by a crazy old British lady

Christmas in Paphos

This year for Christmas, my parents flew in from Chicago to spend the week in Cyprus.  It was warmer than Chicago, but chillier than expected.  We had a nice week exploring the island, checking out some of the Roman ruins, visiting 13th century forts, as well as drinking a lot of good Cypriot wines.  

sunset at the Sea Caves

Akamas Penisula, near Aphrodite's Bath

Jim and Mary in front of Aphrodite's Rock (where she emerged from the sea)

Kolossi Castle- constructed over 1200-1450

This was one of the only holiday decorations

Fikardos Winery tour

sunset at the Temple of Aphrodite, constructed by the ancient Greeks
in 1500 BC

Sofia

AISC gets 2 days off for Thanksgiving- so that 4 day weekend was a perfect chance to visit Bulgaria! I got a cheap, direct flight, found a passable hostal, and had a great time wandering the Balkans for 60 hours.  

I LOVED Bulgaria. Clean, full of history, good food, nice people, and fresh produce everywhere.  I am eager to return someday soon for a much longer visit. 

Sofia reminded me a lot of Manhattan

This is Hagia Sofia, the church from which the town got it's name- when this was a trading town in the Roman times, people referred to it as the "town next to Hagia Sofia"

The very fancy Alexander Nevsky Cathedral- built in honor of Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish
War of 1877- the Russians were assisting their Slavic Bulgarian brothers attempt to liberate themselves from Ottoman rule

The very cute Russian Orthodox Wishing Church

 signs of Spring

These are Marthenaiza bracelets.  At the first sign of spring, people give these to their friends, lovers, family members, etc.  They are given to everyone.  You tie them on the tree which shows the signs of spring, to have a good year. This tree must have bloomed early, because it was covered in bracelets.

The Romans loved their lions

Public Bath House, connected to hot springs.  It was used by everyone in Sofia through WWI.  

So many layers of history

An Orthodox cathedral, where a Bulgarian King avoided an assassination attempt because he was running late

Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

The Rila Monastery is about 90 minutes drive from Sofia.  It's a functioning monastery, with rooms for pilgrims who can spend time there in contemplation and study.  It's in the middle of a gorgeous area, and we got a very sunny and beautiful day to wander.

Historical Wedding Dresses!

The Center for Visual and Arts and Research had a fascinating exhibit on Cypriot wedding dresses, 1750-present.  Here are some of my favorites:

1910

1890

18th Century Turkish Cypriot gown

1967- I love the hand made silk flowers

1965

1964

1978

1983- straight out of an 80s film

2011 (but we think this is more of a fashion piece than an actual dress)

Athens

My friend Ashley spent a week relaxing at a yoga retreat in the Greek countryside.  She stayed for the weekend, and I flew over to Athens to meet her.  It was a great city break (as the Brits say), and it was so good to spend the weekend with a Chicago friend.

The Acropolis

The Temple of Zeus

it looks a lot like Cyprus

me, Ashley, and a corner of the Acropolis

antiquities everywhere

part of the best meal we ate in Athens- an outstanding salad, these
fresh made chips, and Greek yogurt mousse for dessert