Report from Zidaine EVS in Cyprus

My Hosting city is Nicosia (Greek: Λευκωσία API: [lɛfkɔˈsi.a] / Lefkosía, Turk : Lefkoşa API: [lɛfkɔʃa]) which is Cyprus’ capital and the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (non international recognized). With more than 300 000 people, Nicosia is the most populated town of the island.
Since the Turkish invasion in 1974th, the town has been divided de facto in two. The northern part of Cyprus is separated from the rest of the town by the “green line” a demilitarized zone controlled by the Unions Nationals Organisation (who share equally the whole island between these two states). In Nicosia, this line materialised by the existence of a wall, like the Berlin wall, marked out by many screening points. Cypriots Greek began to bring down the wall in March 8th, 2007: Ledra’s road is now again open to traffic. since April 3th, 2008.

My favorite place in the town is Ledra Street. The main street in the city center where we can find all kinds of shops and restaurants from Lebanese to locales specialities. The city center is little, but we can find anything we might need.

Arrived in Cyprus was really chaotic. We arrived, but our luggages were forgotten in Paris. We were 6 without luggages, we had to find our driver, but we didn’t dare go out afraid that we couldn’t come back. Understanding between our English and there really did surprise me, but by staying calm and with the help of our driver we finally succeed.

Life vision is completely different in Cyprus. The population lives to have in their lives things they exactly want: a house, a nice car. Even if they don’t travel. A totally different interest from us who think first to travel, and enjoy life in a different way. We don’t see it at first sight, but after a while it’s becoming apparent.

Concerning food, I couldn’t try lots of dishes cause there aren’t lots of halal meat in this country mainly christian. So, we did try a Lebanese restaurant and “mezze” is a plate I do really enjoy since.

Here, life’s classy, good and tempts us to live there. There is no pressure, we don’t feel that country is in crisis and that bring us a good spirit. Aside from my voluntary I visited the town, town asides, enjoyed Nicosia, amusement parks, nature, parties between volunteers…

To live with roommate went very well. We had some arguments, but this is nothing surprising between 6 people who don’t know each other well. A nice little story: at the beginning, it was hard to be organised and to live at 6. One day, coming home we heard some sound under a car: a kitten was miaowing because he was left alone. We took him with us and our couple of friends who slept in the bedroom decided to take him with them. It was the worst night of their life, the kitten mewed the whole night and they couldn’t sleep at all. After that, the kitten sleep with us – my roommate and I- in the lounge. Since then, he doesn’t mew anymore, especially when he sleeps with me.

Some pictures from my EVS in Cyprus …