Greetings family and friends,
Three weeks into my stay on the island nation of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean. No sightings, as of yet, of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, in her hometown of Paphos where I am currently residing. Paphos is located on the southwest coast within the Republic of Cyprus which is part of the EU, uses the euro, and primarily speaks Cypriot Greek. Whereas the other political division on the island, that of Northern Cyprus, is recognized only by Turkey, uses the Turkish lira, and primarily speaks Cypriot Turkish.
Hometown of Aphrodite
English however, is the second language for both and I have yet to run into a local who doesn’t seamlessly switch between Cypriot Greek and English. As to the weather, quite similar to that in Malta, with the highs during the day being in the sixties, but the lows overnight being a bit cooler than Malta. Paphos feels almost like Southern California to me but with the Greek touches, British right side driving, and residential water towers like in Mexico. The beaches are better than those on Malta, but not of the caliber of those in the Basque Country.
Paphos and Cyprus in general, appears to be a Shangri-La ,for cats. Whether owned by an individual or business, or living life sans owner, cats are out and about enjoying the Cypriot lifestyle. Some in fact can only be described as plump or jumbo. Food and water are left out for them outside of both residences and businesses. The cats lounge about and seem to enjoy being on the seaside promenade as much as the people. As to the tourists, Cyprus takes the crown in my travels for diversity of origins. British of course, as it is a former colony like Malta; Greeks and Turks as well, given the connections to both Greece and Turkey; and then western and eastern Europeans seeking sun, plus visitors from the Middle East as it is in right in the neighborhood – Israel is less than a hour’s flight away is my understanding.
Shangri-La for Cats
My Cypriot Abode
My accommodation in Paphos is simply a feast for the eyes with its Cypriot character. Besides the photo to the left, be sure to check out the photo in the gallery of the courtyard and garden to the back of the townhouse. The residence is owned by the parents of a German lady who married a Cypriot. Fully stocked as the family still uses it occasionally as well as being decorated for the holiday season.
That’s it for now. As always, please feel free to share this link with anyone who expresses an interest. Please have a look at the gallery below for full-size versions of the photos above as well as additional photos of Paphos.
See you soon,
Papi
