Swimming in the Sun

View of hotel front leading to the beach

Another wonderful impromptu weekend, filled with sunshine, food, and laughs. This weekend a group of us ventured to Ayia Napa, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in all of cyprus. The weather kept berating us with forecasts of down pouring rain...LIES! We had a stunning weekend complete with sun burns. I can't tell you how nice it was to be in the ocean, felt just like being at home. I never knew how much I really love the ocean till I ventured here, now I miss home more than ever. The water was crystal Caribbean blue and the sun so strong I felt it hard to look at the water at times. We stayed in two lovely hotels (even though we did have some problems with staff...including but not limited to, not having a booking voucher, getting kicked out for swimming afters hours, and being yelled at for singing). Our second hotel was beautiful, and looked like something off the travel channel. On our final morning we sprawled out by the pool and soaked in the rays and just felt more relaxed than ever. I can't begin to explain the amount of peace I felt here. We got to venture to lots of cliffs and jetties that were massively attacked by the ocean. Huge waves crashing over massive cliffs creating lots of little protrusions on the shore. The people here were very friendly and seemed as though older generations love the off season just as much as us. We did have a couple run ins with some locals. Including one of our group members being proposed to by a shop owner and as a consolation for saying no was given a bag of oranges. Not what we were expecting by any means. The girls in our group along with myself decided t go out to dinner downtown and were extremely satisfied with our meal. I had the BEST penne polo I have ever eaten!! And a huge huge portion :) We also ordered bruschetta (delightful) and honey cake. Yum Yum Yummmmmmm. In some ways Cyprus surprises you with its cultural pace and other times you feel right at home. I can't say I'm having the typical study abroad culture shock but I know I'm not in Kansas any more. Love to all and miss you so very much!
xoxo MoMo

Nissi Beach and the little island we walked out to

Runnin On Empty

Me and Some of the Team

This past weekend was so full with adventure and turmoil it will be hard to describe it in one post. Yesterday we took a service taxi into Limassol to spend the night and day in the sea side city. Although the forecast called for rain we kept our chins up and assured each other of the fun we would have. And despite all obstacles we did.  Upon arrival we immediately checked in at a seaside hotel and discovered our room had a view! Nice little perk for us international students who are used to the bare minimum when it comes to luxury.  After, we decided to explore the city a little and find somewhere to get a cheap breakfast. It didn't take us long to discover "Taps" a british tavern of sorts, advertising a two euro full breakfast. As we entered, multiple british people greeted us telling us about the wonderful food, and we were happily surprised. After being throughly stuffed and contented we assured the hostess we would return that night fro karaoke and the half off "happy hour". The group dwindled in energy and headed back to the hotel for a nap. However, I having slept almost twelve hours the night before couldn't have felt more energetic and decided to go on my own exploring. I travelled the beach board walk which was stunning and the weather only made all the surroundings more intense. The Mediterranean ocean was almost swallowing the island as it monstrously crashed up and over piers and side walks. It was thrilling and a little scary all at the same time. After an hour of my own adventures i headed back to the hotel to join the others and head down once again to "Taps" for dinner and karaoke. I'm sure you can all assume the great fun we had, and you would all be right. After what seemed life forever we all made our way back to the hotel to get to bed and be ready for our 5K in the morning. But seeing as were all a group of young students, sleep wasn't very successful and waking up the next morning was more of task than anything else.  Once awake we trekked outside in the pouring rain to try and find the bus. Completely unsuccessful and so we resorted to a taxi to bring us downtown. Upon arrival the skies cleared and the race began. I myself, feeling extra energetic, decided to run the beginning of the race. I suddenly felt my backpack getting lighter and thought my energy was picking up till I heard the screams behind me of my fellow team members. My backpack had unzipped itself and items were flying everywhere; towels, notebooks, bras, swimsuits. It all was scattered across the road and dumped out into the pouring rain. In a fit of hysteria we all tried to gather the items and move forward all the while laughing at the sheer embarrassment of it all. From there on out it was walking for me and some of the other members. We cheered on our fellow members and even got to watch as one of the other students received first place! The day turned warm and sunny and I couldn't have asked for a better weekend! A wonderful way to get a break from Nicosia and finally spend sometime at the ocean I have missed so much :)

Bookin

Malta Coast

With travel comes the bug. You've made it this far, why not go the distance? Where else can this world take you? The travel is cheap and easy here unlike america where you must book months in advance to make a small pilgrimage to Florida. With a class schedule that I would politely call "laxs", I find myself day dreaming of foreign lands and the back packers delight. So many choices and so little time were bookings trips with multiple countries in compact times. In one week I will be going to Romania, Paris, and Budapest. A week before that I will journey to Greece (mainland), Italy, and Spain. And before even all of that a 5 day trip to Malta including a cruise to Gozo and Sicily. The thirst for travel still ins't quenched and we daily rally together to plan more adventures. Today the thirst was quenched slightly with a trip to Northern Cyprus, currently occupied by Turkey. Although I've traveled there before this time we dug deep into the city and try to immerse ourselves as much as possible. I honestly can say it was one of my favorite trips so far. When crossing the border the tranquility crashed onto me. When living in Nicosia the city just seems take over and your not left with much peace. On this side it was quiet and majestic. All old fashioned and set in the past. While strolling streets the call to prayer sound and hit me straight in heart. I haven't heard any so beautiful before. I can't explain it except to say if you haven't heard it you need to. Its one of the moments that swallows the soul. I'm learning to appreciate the area more and more. The thing to keep in mind is that Cyprus is not very european at all, its middle eastern, and so one must not have false ideas upon arrival. I'm trying a little more each day to grow here and find the definition of culture. So far so good. Keep those fingers crossed! This weekend we venture to Limassol for some sight seeing and 5King....I will be walking, seeing as my running routine has diminished. Wish me luck!

The North, The Mountains, and Somewhere In Between

The girls with the best chef I've ever met

Even blogging once a week is struggle for this little nomad. This week has been pretty packed with journeys and adventure. Yesterday we traveled to the Troodos mountains, which in a nutshell finally got me to appreciate this island for more than the city I live in. It may sound somewhat spoiled by the 1 mile radius we have become accustomed to was becoming somewhat tiresome. It was nice to see a different aspect. The Troodos' were covered in snow and the small cities gave you the feeling of ancient tradition and slow moving time. I can't explain the exhilaration of being in mountains for the first time in over four weeks. The high elevation gave the air a fresh clean feeling I've come to miss in the lowland city streets. Best part of the trip: seeing my first donkey!!!! SUPER cute! However, the donkey may come in second place to the wonderful meal we ate in Kakopetria. While strolling the streets of this scenic town a small we ventured onwards and onwards trying to find somewhere to fill our bellies. A small greek woman complete with mustache and beard greeted us with a warm smile and quickly ushered us into her restaurant. Assuring us good food she cooked all by herself. We quickly sat down and passed around the menus asking over and over what each dish contained, mouths watering and stomach grumbling. She was quick to but in, telling us what we should really be ordering instead of what we picked. Instead of arguing with this force to be reckoned with we quickly nodded our heads and took whatever she offered. Within mere minutes heaping piles of fresh food was thrust in front of. Chunks of beef baked for hours in a sauce with whole onions, fresh caught trout seasoned only with lemon, mousaka (potatoes, eggplants, and seasoned meat baked together), slow roasted lamb, rice seasoned with bits of ham and spices, and finally beets with fennel and vinegar. I have never eaten so quickly or happily in my entire life. This was a life changing meal. Every bite told me the world was good and this woman a God. I thanked her millions of times and with an old world smirk she replied "yes, yes, is good, yes." She was simple and proud, allowing us to shower her with affection briefly before returning to the comfort of her kitchen. She kept bringing more food until we finally had to tell her we were finished. With that she looked at us and told us sternly, "you are not finished"and left once again. Returning with a platter of fruit she finally brought the check and with it the ending to a meal I will never forget. We had to box the left overs, including a lamb bone she wouldn't let us leave without. I hugged her, took a picture with her, and reassured her over and over of our return.

My new best pal