dinos wrote:simonwjones wrote:Well, why dont you start by telling us five things you like about Cyprus.
...and we will tell you if we agree/disagree with you.
This is a good idea. Although I'll cheat and add 6...
1. The people are warm and friendly.
2. So many other people from so many other countries to meet - there's always something to learn from someone.
3. The beautiful beaches - and the way the warm water envelops you.
4. The food - far better than Greek food, if you ask me...
5. The laid-back lifestyle.
6. The way old civilization meets our modern one.
This post really made me react and I'd like to comment as follows :
1. That really depends. I spent three years here from 2002-2005, started learning Greek, went to places where Cypriots where going, played mini football with a all-Cypriot team, supported local jazz musicians by going to their every concert, had a fling with a Cypriot lady..... Result : No real friend. I think it is extremely difficult to meet Cypriots. They are not warm and always keep their distance. I moved to Lebanon in April 2005 and had to be evacuated about one month ago. My new gf is Cypriot and things haven't changed very much even though it really helps to go out with a local. It takes a very long time for Cypriots to open. Warm and friendly is not the first thing that comes to my mind when thinking about Cypriots. They definitively can be but it takes time.
Warm and friendly is stores / shops : NO WAY ! People in the service industry are generally rude.
2. That is true in almost every "modern" country. This doesn't apply to Cyprus in particular. The bulk of foreigners/expats are English. I have the feeling that, at least in Limassol, the foreigners tend to stay with people from the same nationality.
3. I really enjoy the beach in Cyprus because, unlike in Lebanon (a country that I love), it is unpretentious.
4. The Cypriot food is better I agree. For the rest, I find it very difficult to find a decent restaurant in Cyprus. Let me explain : by decent, I mean a restaurant where the taste of Italian food is Italian for instance. There is not a single good pizza place in Cypurs. I still haven't found a great pasta place. The Lebanese restaurant are OK. Pagoda is a good Chinese and Apolonia Hotel in Limassol has a pretty good Japanese. Very few places where you can have great steaks. But the local food is superb ! If I compare to Lebanon, Switzerland or SOuth Africa (three countries where I lived), the variety and authenticity of food is below par in Cyprus.
5. I'd agree with this point even though I think that it might harm the country as this laid-back attitute is.
6. I can see what you mean.... but I must add that the Larnaca airport must be part of the old civilization
I think that one of the biggest problem is Cyprus is that it is an island. People are not exposed to foreign cultures the way we are in Europe. They do not have neighbours and they remained rather self-centered. Watch the news in Greek and you will see the very little time dedicated to news outside Cyprus. The new generation (20 - 25) seems to be much more open to the world and I truly welcome that. My generation (I am 38) is a "lost" generation.
Things I like about Cyprus... because I do like things in Cyprus !
(in no particular order)
1. The landscape. Trodos Mountain is absolutely superb. The region around Pomos is beautiful and mostly untouched. Kurium beach is stunning.
2. Cypriot food. I love 90 % of it. The best pork I ever had in my life.
3. The (jazz) musicians. There are, particularly in Limassol, a lot of extremely talented musicians. I am going almost every Wednesday to a little bar in Limassol called Jazzy B where there is live gigs. Really really good.
4. The weather.... even though I could live with less humidity...
5. The people when they open up and show their real face. Once you have a friend in Cyprus, he/she is a real friend. As I said above, it takes time but it is worth.
