Then fovoume kanena.
G'day people's and firstly I want to give my congratulations to the Turkish speaking Cypriot community in the occupied areas of Cyprus. I was very impressed with the number of universities that exists and the architecture used for the buildings.
Last Saturday morning atround 7.30am I made a friend for life his name Mr Hassan he escorted my family to Apostolos Andreas and then back to Geminyaki? where we took pictures of our ancestral homes. Our day began at Ledra palace crossing and a metrio at the little cafe there. A little later the hire car arrived and we were on our way to the rental place to sign contracts although a bit apprehensive I tried hard to relax and go with the flow leaving behind preconceived ideas about Cypriots living on the other side of the divide. Getting onto the motorway being bypaased by mad crazy drivers and having said my prayers I slowly eased into the driving. Before I knew it I was one of the mad drivers on the amazing freeway to Varosha.
First stop Ayios Barnabas monastery, where the ice breaker took place. After seeing the state of the church and the churches along the way and feeling a bit lost I managed to recover. What made it easier was the fact that Mr Hassan asked my mother for a candle to say his prayer. The people at the cafe freaked me out though constantly looking in a very suspicious way. Anyway we soon had our refreshments and continued. After driving for a while Mr hassan asked if we wanted to go to Varosha. I told him that I was eager to get to Apostolos Andreas so we could miss Varosha after all I did not want to see empty building falling apart. Along the way being passed by RoC number plates and as we closed into Rizokarpaso seeing many more RoC cars parked in drive ways. A pleasant calm surprise and an example of a way of life that is possible for all of us. But having just come into Tusla Mr Hassan began to talk about his family a little bit as one of his children is married there and lives in the village. Driving along the way I was absolutely in trance with the beauty that part of my life has and one that I had never seen before. The last time I was at Apostolos Andreas I was less than one and was being baptised probably traumatised by the experience of a bearded man stripping me and plunging me in a bowl of water. All the way being weary of poilce that never really showed up. Thank God. Getting closer to the Monastery the beauty of the land got more dramatic, gentle, loving and rugged all at the same time. Getting out of the car at Apostolos Andreas and walking to the Church I was saddened by the state of this holy place for some of us. After a prayer and smal cry I was over it and really wanting to go, head back for Geminocagi? (Xeros). Once again in the car enjoying the roads and the drive, the comapny of my parents and Mr Hassan the scenery we headed back. After an easy pleasant drive we arrived back at the round about at Gionelli. Turning right there for Girne was exciting. I fell in love witht that village and when Cyprus is once again free I shall build my ecological home there (dream on dreamer). Driving further up the hill and then through the crack of the mountain the view just became more and more awsome. Soon we began the descent to Girne. Althgough excited and weary of mad Cypriot drivers we arrived at the parking station. We parked the car for a walk along the harbour, Although impressed with its popularity I hated Girne's tourist craze as much as I hate that of the southwest tourist area of Paphos and that of the Gold coast Australia. Its all the same to me and has no uniqueness to it what so ever. Mr Hassan then opened up a little more and began to talk about the division between Cypriots and settlers. I got educated on the subject first hand and spoke about the Cypro along the way also. We then decided that we wanted to head for Xeros. So in the car we go we drove through Girne and along the coast. My parents commented at the build up of the area, didn't really mean much to me. Though impressed by the homes and villages along the way. Enjoying the drive and the beauty of my beloved Island nation I was taken back by the number of army bases on that side of the Island. Then we arrive at a village on top of the hill where a new university is being build. What an amasing site and what a great university it will be. I was more than impressed to say the least adn hopefull that all Cypriots can benefit from places of educational importance. Along our drive my parents try to remember names of villages sadenned by the state of the churches we discussed the Cypro and continue on. Then we arrive at Morphou and what a pleasant surprise that not much had changed and I remembered where the old bus depot was. Ten points for humanist. Followed by another ten points by Greece
. Now that I mentioned Greece I remembered the Turkish flags everywhere, initially scary then it became natural but very funny at the same time. Boy some of those guys are fanatics. Then we enter into Xeros things there looked much smaller for me and not much had really changed. My parents could remmebr whose shop was what and who lived in where ever. Soon my dad said this is grandma's street I did not recognised it as it was bitumen now, as soon as we turned I saw my grandmotheres home to this moment I cannot identify my really hidden feelings, altjhough touched I still feel distant. Accross the road her sisters home and little down the street our home the home I first went to when I was baby. However feeling a bit lost we did not go there as there was an army base and felt a bit weary we took our pics and off we went to Lefke looking for the school for a picture for my friend Birkibriskli. Having spoken to Mr Hassan about Birkibrisli and our connection he was more than happy to look and ask for dirctions for the school. I got a couple of pictures and soon headed back for Lefkosia. After an hour drive or so we go onto a motorway again what I temed the strip joint, as there was bar after bar after bar. We took the car back to the rentals place and then said our goodbye to our new Cypriot friend. Meanwhile he gave instructions to the people there to drive us back to Ledra palace. Dark had fallen up on us by now. We got in the car with one of the employees there. He yelled at us in Turkish and asked if we spoke English I replied yes. He indicated to me that he did not speak English and although a bit uncomfortable with the lack of communication we manged to drive on. He was mad I thought I would never see another day but thankfully and as you can all tell we managed to live that experience, after a while he put on some music and I was feeling moere relaxed. He turned out to be really nice as he wanted to drop us right by the crossing as I gestured to get out by the lights before. A smile filled his face as we gave hima couple of pounds as a thanks.
That was one of my most enjoyable days in Cyprus.
Thanks to all of especially, Birkisbrisli, Kafenes, Kifeas and Mr Hassan and GR for trying to get me to a meeting with the rest of the gang. May be next time.
Feeking great about fullfining my "tama" to Apostolos Andreas I am sure he will not strike the plane down with a bolt of lighting
ciao for a couple of days till am back infront of me mac in beautiful Sydney.
