last few hours

I opted to stay in my apartment while waiting for departure time. The other option would be to go window-shopping...but nah, I'll relax and take it slow.
So, as Jeng requested, I will post my last image of Cyprus....

haha! probably not exactly what she asked for, but hey, my last image of it would presumably be taken from the cab on the way to the airport...and I wont be able to post it until I get to Manila (yeah, no Wi Fi..I have to change that).. But anyway, that's me in the apartment...I'm practicing taking self-portraits since I'll need it next year ... I need ultra-wide lenses!!!! and a Holga. and a new tripod and....argh.

Next year, when I come back I will....

1. Try Greek coffee metrio style (with a little bit of sugar, no milk)
2. cook more (yeah right)
3. use the hotel's nice gym (sana)
4. use the hotel's lovely pool (weather permitting)
5. buy more (knowing me, tough luck)
6. do better at work (I'm not doing that bad, I think, but just not good enough)

So Goodbye for now Nicosia! I will come back next year...and we'll have even more fun then!

Jeng: meron pa kong utang na kwento...I will post that when I'm in Manila :p

Limestones and 'ecru' and repeated voices...

Our Troodos tour guide from weeks ago did say that Cyprus is volcanic, no, I don't think there are any volcanoes in the island (at least I havent heard of one yet), rather, they were formed by, I assume, volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Hence the abundance of hills that are mostly limestone.

Just dont ask me where those volcanoes that formed the island are. Much of that 'knowledge' is mostly me surmising fact-like things from what little I heard. But really, those hills really are covered in limestone. And they appear to be formed of horizontal layers of rocks on top of another horizontal layer...piling up til and shrinking in size until they form a cone-like peak...they remind of the Rice Terraces back home -- which I havent seen by the way -- with conical peaks instead of gently sloped hilltops.

That is the initial image I will take home with me as I return home for the holidays.

That, and ecru-colored buildings and homes. Unlike most of the Europe that I've seen, architecture isnt dark and gothic...they are chalky in appearance and yellowish white in color. Not brick-like as I had imagined Cyprus buildings would be.

Entertainment at 'home' on the other hand, would be CNN. Much like Paris, I am forever tuned in to this news channel and forever hearing the voices of their reporters. So much so, that I've learned to tune in while tuning out. And I've learned to predict what the news is. After all, one program after the next shows the same clip over and over and over again...What I lack for in news-watching at home,I am more than making up for during my stay here. My other option would be to learn Greek. Which of course I doubt I can do. I have this thing about being unable to speak a foreign language (apart from English, but really, that doesnt count as foreign) confidently. I feel as if my inability to pronouce words correctly is an insult to the locals. That, and my unwillingness to be the stupid foreigner who tries too hard.

Of course next year -- thats only three weeks from now -- I will come back. And I will make more memories then. And take more photos. And endeavor to learn more, about another foreign culture, about myself, and yes, about my work as well.

Oh and of course, Greek coffee, I shall return! This is not goodbye, only au revoir (and that, I can say with just slightly more confidence)

it hit me suddenly....

I no longer think of you when I travel...no more 'you'd love this place if you were here' thoughts

oh happy day :)

playing hooky

Today we left the office at noon to drive to the quaint and picturesque village of Lefkara, roughly an hour's drive out of Nicosia. It was the team's going away 'party' for Sajo who had her last day at work and for the project today.

Lefkara is a small village that thrives on lace-making and silversmith(ing?). I found it best to not research about places that we go to since I am more easily surprised that way...

As always, I loved the views, loved the architecture...but to add to those expected favorites, I fell in love with the narrow sloping streets of the village. And the lace. And the silver. When I come back next year, I will buy myself more silver...after all, every girl deserves a bit of icing dontchatink?

My officemates wandering about the tiny streets....

and finally, a souvenir shot of me at the lace shop where I got a handmade lace tablecloth

Agia Napa

From what little information I gathered on Agia Napa, it was one of the more popular summer places in Cyprus. I didnt do that much research (bad I know) because I had expected it to be just like any other coastal town...loaded with resort hotels, restaurants, bars both near the shore and the harbor plus a loong stretch of beach with lovely beckoning blue water (yes, they whisper 'come hither' even in winter -- to me at least...being beach-deprived and all)..

what I didnt expect from Agia Napa was this Monastery...situated very near the town square.

At first, all we saw was an interesting gate/archway that opened up to what looked like a private garden. Apparently not. It was open to the public, and unlike most public places back home, this was clean. And breathtakingly serene.

(no one would know that just a few feet away, bars and clubs and pubs were scattered all over)

a last look

the Church of Saint Lazarus at Larnaca

Not knowing anything about the Greek Orthodox religion, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Lazarus plays an important role to their religion and mine. This Byzantine church was built on top of Lazarus' tomb (the second and final one, for those who are aware of his life story). However, the relics are no longer there as they were removed by a Byzantine king (I forget which one).

Photos below (of course!) taken from outside and within the Church. Most of the indoor shots I took while Buddy was hanging from my neck. I wanted to not be too obvious in respect of those who were praying inside. (plus, I liked the outcome of the first photos so I said, why not.... I'll make it my own version of 'shooting from the hip'

edit: In reply to Jeng's query, from what I remember, Lazarus apparently moved to Cyprus and continued his religious work here up until the time of his second death...hence, his tomb in the area (where he put up a Church, I think) and the Church to commemorate him.

a series of arches

the (empty) tomb of saint lazarus

main aisle askew

ray of light

I'm an alien

(finally) a legal alien

I have the impression that the youngest in the family are usually the sweet, affectionate type. The one who sometimes literally "light

up" their parent's days.

Sometimes I wish that were me. I may be the youngest in the family but I know that I'm not the bubbly, sweet, affectionate one. I take

after my father in my being "distant" sort-of, standing on the sidelines, only there when they need me....

In moments when I realize that I am the only un-married child, that I am the one spending the most time with my parents, the one

beside them and with them when they're sick...I wish that I can make them laugh and smile the way my comic brother (if he's in the mood)

would. Or maybe at least be as caring and affectionate as my you-dont-have-to-worry-about-anything-I'll-handle-it (in terms of

housework and taking care of people) sister.

All I do really, is ... I dont know actually. I guess I make them proud because I have a good job, I'm a (relatively) good daughter, I help out

financially whenever I can and because I am independent.

But I can't make them smile. Nor can I make them laugh. And sometimes I feel that those are the things they need most.

I went blog-wandering and found myself reading this girl's (who I do not know by the way) thoughts. After a sentence or two I thought to myself.."this sounds like me" or at least, its how I used to be.
I envy those who can keep posting such personal things about them in such public places like blogs. I am always in danger of screening everything I write until I end up with the most incoherent, pointless piece of crappy, unorganized thoughts written down that I decide its better to delete them than attempt to post them.
I want to take back that part of me who thought about everything, who had an opinion or could formulate one about every single thing and would not hesitate to post them. Recently I realized that I have become so passive, so uncaring about things, choosing instead to sit back and do nothing.
I wonder, what made it all go away? And will I ever get it back?

the Troodos Mountain ranges, that is, the Troodos mountain ranges...

The title is in reference to our Tour Guide's favorite phrase, repeated before and after each sentence, used as a sentence by itself and used to refer back to the Tour that she was conducting..makes you wonder if she was actually convincing herself that that is indeed the name of the place...

Today we went on a day tour to the Troodos Mountain Ranges. These mountains are the highest points in the island of Cyprus and during the coldest times of the year, snow covers these mountains and turns them into a ski resort. The highest peak and the most popular ski resort is Mount Olympus, named after the mythical home of the Gods. Nestled within one of the towns in the mountains is the Kykkos Monastery, the most popular and richest Greek Orthodox monastery which houses the icon of the Virgin of Kykkos, handed down from the Byzantine Emperor hundreds of years ago. There is an interesting history behind the icon, its story is told here.

Random photos from Troodos:

The flag of Cyprus alongside the Greek flag

The grave of Archishop Makariou, former Greek Orthodox Archbishop and Cyprus President

A tourist takes in the Troodos view

Near the Shrine to the icon of the Virgin of Kykkos, handkerchief and tissues alike hang on the nearby bush branches. Locals claim that hanging them up and making a wish would guarantee the fulfillment of their wishes.

Rose bush outside the Monastery

The Kykkos Monastery from afar

From within the monastery:

frustrations of the day

First of all, I woke up late. Too late for the hotel's breakfast...so we decided to go out and do some serious "maybe" shopping and shooting. We ended up doing "real" shopping and before we knew it, it was too dark for me to shoot (no tripod plus I just wasnt in the mood to take out my flash) and it was time for mass.

photo pffft

I thought I'd shoot something after the mass, since the church was in the old part of the city where I wanted to shoot anyway. Lots of old houses very near the border. However, while I struggled to compose something to replace my 'PEACE' photo (my current fave), a local approached us and informed us that photography was not allowed, being near the border and having soldiers there and all....

WHAT?!?!? BUT BUT BUT.....!

*sigh* From what I know, taking photos beyond the border in the direction of the Turkish territory was prohibited BUT taking photos in the Cyprus side...?

I guess what bothers me really is the fact that that was the area where I wanted to take photos. And apparently I cant.

So I uploaded my 'PEACE' photo unto my old galleries at Filphoto and Photo.net.ph. I havent visited those in a while and it surprised me to see that some (and I do mean 'some') photos are still there. Until tomorrow's Troodos mountains trip, that'll have to do.

if the shoe fits

I have to add, we went to a shoe store that were selling Italian made leather shoes at more than 50% off. Wide-eyed, I looked around and spotted some knee-high boots. I love boots. And the fact that they're unfit for Manila and that the heels were not Manila-commuter-friendly did not daunt me. They were on SALE for heaven's sake.

So I tried them on. And lo and behold, I couldnt fully zip them up. I mean, I know I have uhm, not-so-tiny legs, but come on?! Surely these things are designed to fit women's legs? Women are supposed to have meat and muscle upwards past the ankle after all.

Apparently not. I heaved, huffed and puffed, to no avail. No boots for me. If next week I dont find any, I'll have to settle for pumps. And then maybe I'll drive a hole through a shoe designer's foot using those killer heels.

sidenote

I left home with a handful of happy thoughts.

There is something scary about leaving home for work travel on a good note...it reminds me of the last time I left with a happy thought. I suppose it doesnt help to be pessimistic, but when experience speaks, I cant help but listen intently.

One of the things that made me leave home relatively merrily was this:

the sound and sight of the past burning. I have purged myself if not completely, then at least physically of proof of past bad judgment. No one can ever say that I was that -- save for two people.