It's been a while... Sorry, just been way too busy having and amazing time. Life is hard. There's lots to tell so I'm gonna do it in stages.
First... 2 weekends ago we ventured to the forbidden Turkish side. It's a sensitive subject here because many Cypriots were forced out of their homes during the invasion and haven't been able to return. They say in this one city, that's now a giant ghost town, there is still food on the tables because they had to leave so quickly.
The Cypriot people don't cross the border much because they are angered at the fact that they have to show their passport to go to their own country. Butttttt we were curious... so we went. First we went across on our own, crammed in the back of Martin's car like Mexicans illegally trying to cross the border. It was a bit scary, but an interesting experience overall. Went to a donerista for some delicious kabobs. It's a bit more rundown on the Turkish side, not as wealthy.
We met this Cypriot woman who is a former co-worker of my roommate's father a few days later, who welcomed us over and gave us pastries which were amazing. She described how she's lived in Cyprus all her life, and how she lost her home when the Turks invaded. It's still over there, unoccupied, but she can't live in it or sell it. She said that she would rather never see her home again then have her passport stamped to go to her own country. Very sweet woman though, offered to take us shopping and to museums and wants to help however she can. Nice to meet someone like that.
Crossing the border... bit sketchy
Watching the tanks roll by... Watch out for the Turks!!!
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