Cyprus-Forum.com

[petronas]

Cyprus is SEA & SUN. I agree but it is not only these.
I am a little fed up with this slogan.
Don't we have any other good reasons for somebody to love our island?
I am sure we can think of 100 other reasons. Can you help me here gather a lot of them down?
In this way, if we all of us discuss them, then "magically", these reasons, will become known to a lot of people around the world. And we will appreciate more our island and foreigners will get more motives to visit Cyprus. Could be anything we can think of i.e. a not so advertised place, could be a habit, could be anything.

[miltiades]

This is MY Cyprus, the island that I love and worship.
We have the finest weather in the world, our winters are mild but are also wintery, we don't get that much rain but we do we know it. Thunder and lighting is so ferociously impressed on our winter nights and days, rain that comes down so aggressively, powerful rivers from the skies, a joy to watch but not for long since at day break King Helios takes over with a sunrise that is so vibrant and busily spreading warm and bright rays over the sea, over the mountains, across the road with reflections making their entry into buildings and houses.

Spring soon arrives, warmer weather more sunshine and less rain, vibrant scents from flowers eager to burst out , and then our summers. Enough of our glorious weather lets turn our attention to the paradise island that is Cyprus.

Much has changed over the last 50 or so years since I was growing up in Cyprus.
Some things have not, our people may have and indeed they do, posses a great deal more gadgetry, tvs and mobiles, computers and accessories that make their lives, or they think they do, easier.

Our sense of loyalty to our families and friends is very much alive, our "FILOTIMO" evident in all of our daily interactions with others, we know how to respect and protect our integrity, our family name our culture.

We are a very hospitable people, helpful to strangers eager to please .

Cultural events that bring happiness and joy to young and old, our christenings, weddings (apart from boring hotel types) our get togethers to enjoy a homely made souvla accompanied by cold beers and laughter. Children are a part of all of our festivities, be it a restaurant celebration, a taverna outing or a trip to the nearby beach.

Our language too, unique to Cyprus, Greek it is but Greek its not, its Cypriot re koumbare !

Finally I could not finish without saying something about our robust village wines, definitely not the overrated overpriced bottled variety sold in supermarkets, all basically identical, the labels are different but the contents quality much the same. Village wine is virgin, no preservatives no chemicals just pure unadulterated robust wines.

ps. May I ask why on earth do we have so many churches in Cyprus ? Every street seems to have a church, not that I dislike churches but can not help thinking that the money used could be allocated to more pressing issues. After all, for those that believe in ...fairy tales, God ios pantahou paron!!

[GreekIslandGirl]

Hello petronas. Good idea for this thread.

On the subject of our precious churches; there is a huge growing market for Pilgrim tours. Walking,trekking holidays with the purpose of gaining spiritual relief from life's manic pressures. France and Spain have been capitalising on them massively and the interest is growing. We have far older churches here in Cyprus and offering Pilgrimages to these common Christian cultural havens could open up a whole new class of tourists and interest in Cyprus' struggle to preserve these monuments from the hands of the Turks. (Sorry I had to bring them into this.)

[Cap]

The people.
The Kypraio is one of a kind.

[GreekIslandGirl]

Peaches!

Yum yum ... the best.

[kurupetos]

What is so special about our island?

Moi!

[Cap]

Over the years I've realized a few things.
The populace of a nation is a product (to a very large extent) of the bullsh** local media, decades of indoctrination, a corrupt educational system etc.

The very few times I've seen Cypriots truly shine, and excel was mostly with the help of foreign influence and in a meritocratic and even playing field environment. The CY spirit soured. Breaking those chains.
Not only a eye opener, but Cyp's have a natural knack and passion of excelling at everything they're exposed to.

[Cap]

Soared *

[SKI-preo]

We now have 2m Russian women.

[miltiades]

I haven't been able to visit the paradise island of Cyprus since Christmas, almost 3 months ago and the "withdrawal" symptoms are becoming more and more acute.! I miss the early mornings and the sunrises, the sea air penetrating incessantly my ...nostrils, the fresh smell of "kitromilies" lining almost every pavement, the scents from yiasemi and vasiligia, not forgetting the "make me feel hungry" souvla smell.

As for the ....Russian women, miss them too!!