Naturally Cyprus

Say What?!?

Walking to the immigration counter, “You must pay fifty dollars to leave!”

“But we’re Egyptian residents. But my wife is a resident here in Egypt too. She left her card at home.”

“She must have her residency card here. She must pay fifty dollars to leave!”

“But we don’t have $50 in cash. Can we pay in Egyptian pounds?”

“No, only dollars.”

“But we’re in Egypt.”

“Only dollars.”

An Egyptian bureaucracy in need of a currency other than their own had already caused us headaches. One residency card sparked unneeded drama with Egyptian authorities that had hoped to be the start of a restful week in Cyprus. Fortunately Jeff, a friend, fellow teacher and basketball player was leaving the airport at the same time and had a $50 to lend. That was his top assist of the season.




Short Flight to Paradise

After the short 70 minute Egypt Air flight to Larnaca, Nadine and I departed the airport. And like any veteran married couple of 20 years, we were in tune. The same sensation blew over us immediately outside the airport.

“What sticks out to you right now Nadine?” I quipped.

“The air is so clean and fresh!”

“I know, I can breathe easily.”

It’s amazing how excited we became for pure, clean air. After four months in Egypt, who I’ve affectionately started calling Pig Pen (from Charlie Brown), everyday has been some mix of smoke, dust, or pollution. After a while, you forget what quality air smells like.

Where the Wine Flows Like Wine

Cyprus surprised us in so many ways. The country only has five percent of the population of Cairo (21 million). It felt like a super clean village. There were parks with kids playing. Even the Metro Supermarket shocked us. Inside there was chocolate milk. Bacon. Sugar. And Belgian beer. And as we left the supermarket, an attendant asked to see our receipt. She then promptly handed us two bottles of wine . . . for shopping in their supermarket.

Plunge into Fresh Mountain Air of the Gods

Cyprus reminded me of another smaller country, New Zealand. Short distances led to dramatic changes. The short drive from Larnaca to Pano Platres in the Troodos Mountains transported us where crisp mountain air and evergreen trips were the main residents.

Not far away here, the highest point in Cyprus stands above at 6,400 feet. And from Mount Olympus you could spy on the Mediterranean Sea down below. Only feet away stood 500 year old giant black pine trees.

The brief time in the Troodos Mountains was spent hiking in Mother Nature. During one of these hikes to Myllomeris Waterfalls, the kids concocted the idea of a polar plunge. A few days later, the kids completed their 2023 polar plunge back at Myllomeris Falls. In retrospect, I’d call their plunge more of a slow slide into a freezing waterfall pool followed by shrieks, but that doesn’t roll off the tongue as nicely.

Sticking Up for Your Family

Prior to our drive back down the mountain down to the coastal town of Paphos, we stopped to buy water from Stephanos. In his stall, he dutifully pointed to the water and then eagerly listed his more poignant products. They all revolved around male fertility, male aphrodisiac prowess in reproduction, or simply being a stud with the ladies. The type of items you would expect to find at a New Mexican truck stop. Not that I needed it, but I did invest in a bottle of green pistachio liquor.

“With this, you will have power. I have 12 kids. You can too.” Then he started eagerly waving around a phallic looking piece of candy in the same shape of a sausage. As the kids snacked on pomegranate juice covered peanuts, I leaned over and confidently mentioned, “I’m good with these four ευτυχισμένα παιδιά.”

Hurding Egyptian Antiquities

Prior to moving to the Middle East and Africa, Cyprus had never been on my radar as a travel destination, but after this visit, I feel this may be a little hidden gym and a place that I would definitely come back to. Next up, exploring the ancient antiquities of Egypt along the Nile with the Hurds.