Small town girl leaves home - Cyprus
Flying over Germany was the most amazing part of the flight. Out of the darkness a huge mass of lights suddenly twinkled below. We were both excited and terrified at the same time. I had never met these people before and was regretting my choice of coming over, as I felt it rude to arrive with nothing. Before I left Africa I had purchased a variety of African ‘souvenirs’ which had been gathering dust on my travels. We made plans to bring these with and sell them at the local market, using the money to travel around the island and not be too much of a burden on our gracious hosts. According to my friends’ friend they would sell quickly here and a bus from one town to the next cost less than a dollar. We would sleep on the beach under the stars and live off cheap food and even cheaper thrills.
After circling the island we banked slightly to the right, giving us an aerial view of the town below. I could have sworn that the lights marked out the shape of Apollo across the dark landscape. As soon as we stepped off the plane we were met by a blast of hot, humid air and immediately became drenched in sweat.
My heart sank as I handed over my little green passport to the official at the airport. Thank goodness this was pre-9/11 or I reckon alarm bells would have gone off louder than they were now. I had no money, did not know the name of my hosts and did not know where we were staying. My friend was on a British passport so she had already gone through, no problem. It never occurred to me that we would be separated so I had never thought to ask these things. Thankfully, our host was a Doctor and a respectable citizen who was allowed to come through and vouch for me – nice introduction – however; they cancelled my three month visa and instead gave me two weeks to enjoy my stay. Welcome to Cyprus!
Our plans fell by the way side after that. The Doctors daughter fell ill after a couple of days of us being there and required emergency surgery so all focus was on getting her better and making her comfortable when she returned home.
The tiny town of Paphos lies in a dusty valley, surrounded by mountains in the distance. We stayed in a flat which had its own access to the roof and was home to another small storage room which became my bedroom when the girl returned from hospital. I loved it up there! Every morning I woke to the humid blanket of air that descended from the hills and sat on the small wall surrounding the rooftop, overlooking the dusty landscape around and watching as the delicate fingers of light gently woke the sleeping inhabitants. The family cat became my confidant and we shared many silent moments of incredible reflection.
Some days we spent down at the local beach, swimming in water that glowed aqua under a brilliant blue, cloudless sky. Other days I would spend on my rooftop whilst everyone slept in the air conditioned house below. If only I had had paper and pen to capture my thoughts from that time, but alas they blew away on the afternoon breeze. As it gets so hot there the majority of towns close from lunch time until around 5 or 6 in the evening, and then the place comes alive again and stays open well into the night. Eating dinner at 10 or 11 pm is not out of the ordinary.
One evening we headed into the hills to a small local pub. It was a tiny stone building on the side of a dirt road which had small, barred windows and on whose walls hung faded photos and rusting memorabilia. Many years ago it had been a prison and was now owned by the family on whose land it proudly stood. They had vineyards and fig trees and an ancient toothless man told us tales in a language we did not understand, whilst he munched on cucumber and drank noisily from a glass that never seemed to empty. It was a magical night; one of those you wish you could frame and relive every day.
Two weeks flew by and soon it was time for me to leave. My travel buddy decided to head back to the UK with me and left the option of coming back to Cyprus open. The African souvenirs looked good on our hosts mantelpiece and it was with warm goodbyes and invitations to return that we boarded the plane and waved goodbye to new found friends. Arriving back in England late in the evening we found ourselves stranded in London at the central bus station until morning, when we could get a bus back to Folkestone. We stood in the shadows of the cold buildings, watching as a group of backpackers unrolled their sleeping bags onto the pavement and crawled inside. I thought of my little room and adopted cat that I had just left behind and wondered what where the backpackers were going. Sleep would not come and suddenly I was thankful that I had always had a roof over my head. The middle of London on a cold and damp night with nowhere to go can be a very lonely and scary place, as we were to find out a few weeks later. We had just enough money to make it back home the next day and immediately went down to the Amusement Park on the beachfront to beg for jobs.
I was put in charge of an Under 5’s train ride which was on the far side of the site, tucked away from the other rides. I sat in a glass booth from 2pm to 11pm loading screaming kids onto the small train, making sure they were safely tucked in as they chugged around the track. A panel of two large buttons sat in front of me - one marked GO and the other marked STOP. I watched as kids waved at their parents, toddlers screamed their heads off and moms and dads excitedly called out and clicked picture after picture of their 'little ones'. Considering that they were all in bed by 7 or so, I generally sat in the dark until it was time to go home, reading contentedly from the light that filtered down from the streetlight above. Until the night I noticed 5 men sitting on the pavement across from my ride. All were dressed in black jeans and black t-shirts and one of them, sporting two fresh black eyes, was staring straight at me and talking on his cell phone.
After circling the island we banked slightly to the right, giving us an aerial view of the town below. I could have sworn that the lights marked out the shape of Apollo across the dark landscape. As soon as we stepped off the plane we were met by a blast of hot, humid air and immediately became drenched in sweat.
My heart sank as I handed over my little green passport to the official at the airport. Thank goodness this was pre-9/11 or I reckon alarm bells would have gone off louder than they were now. I had no money, did not know the name of my hosts and did not know where we were staying. My friend was on a British passport so she had already gone through, no problem. It never occurred to me that we would be separated so I had never thought to ask these things. Thankfully, our host was a Doctor and a respectable citizen who was allowed to come through and vouch for me – nice introduction – however; they cancelled my three month visa and instead gave me two weeks to enjoy my stay. Welcome to Cyprus!
Our plans fell by the way side after that. The Doctors daughter fell ill after a couple of days of us being there and required emergency surgery so all focus was on getting her better and making her comfortable when she returned home.
The tiny town of Paphos lies in a dusty valley, surrounded by mountains in the distance. We stayed in a flat which had its own access to the roof and was home to another small storage room which became my bedroom when the girl returned from hospital. I loved it up there! Every morning I woke to the humid blanket of air that descended from the hills and sat on the small wall surrounding the rooftop, overlooking the dusty landscape around and watching as the delicate fingers of light gently woke the sleeping inhabitants. The family cat became my confidant and we shared many silent moments of incredible reflection.
Some days we spent down at the local beach, swimming in water that glowed aqua under a brilliant blue, cloudless sky. Other days I would spend on my rooftop whilst everyone slept in the air conditioned house below. If only I had had paper and pen to capture my thoughts from that time, but alas they blew away on the afternoon breeze. As it gets so hot there the majority of towns close from lunch time until around 5 or 6 in the evening, and then the place comes alive again and stays open well into the night. Eating dinner at 10 or 11 pm is not out of the ordinary.
One evening we headed into the hills to a small local pub. It was a tiny stone building on the side of a dirt road which had small, barred windows and on whose walls hung faded photos and rusting memorabilia. Many years ago it had been a prison and was now owned by the family on whose land it proudly stood. They had vineyards and fig trees and an ancient toothless man told us tales in a language we did not understand, whilst he munched on cucumber and drank noisily from a glass that never seemed to empty. It was a magical night; one of those you wish you could frame and relive every day.
Two weeks flew by and soon it was time for me to leave. My travel buddy decided to head back to the UK with me and left the option of coming back to Cyprus open. The African souvenirs looked good on our hosts mantelpiece and it was with warm goodbyes and invitations to return that we boarded the plane and waved goodbye to new found friends. Arriving back in England late in the evening we found ourselves stranded in London at the central bus station until morning, when we could get a bus back to Folkestone. We stood in the shadows of the cold buildings, watching as a group of backpackers unrolled their sleeping bags onto the pavement and crawled inside. I thought of my little room and adopted cat that I had just left behind and wondered what where the backpackers were going. Sleep would not come and suddenly I was thankful that I had always had a roof over my head. The middle of London on a cold and damp night with nowhere to go can be a very lonely and scary place, as we were to find out a few weeks later. We had just enough money to make it back home the next day and immediately went down to the Amusement Park on the beachfront to beg for jobs.
I was put in charge of an Under 5’s train ride which was on the far side of the site, tucked away from the other rides. I sat in a glass booth from 2pm to 11pm loading screaming kids onto the small train, making sure they were safely tucked in as they chugged around the track. A panel of two large buttons sat in front of me - one marked GO and the other marked STOP. I watched as kids waved at their parents, toddlers screamed their heads off and moms and dads excitedly called out and clicked picture after picture of their 'little ones'. Considering that they were all in bed by 7 or so, I generally sat in the dark until it was time to go home, reading contentedly from the light that filtered down from the streetlight above. Until the night I noticed 5 men sitting on the pavement across from my ride. All were dressed in black jeans and black t-shirts and one of them, sporting two fresh black eyes, was staring straight at me and talking on his cell phone.
Photography Tips
Health Focus
Poetry Lighthouse
MS Paint Art
katyzzz and the hair is getting greyer and greyer.
Infognito
but very easy to read and you get one's interst quickly...vewwwy good eh what?
fog
Kalikapsychosis
Your writing has never been so alive - Im THERE, the joy and exultation, the peace, the fear lonileness and terror! Yesterday I saw the pitbullx boxers kill all of next doors chickens and I was ready and waiting if they came for me - even Kman said - You wouldnt care how many stitches you got, you'd make sure you won! And he was right.....
But THIS is courage Ash!
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
ah well I hope you have found your nerves once again. It was certainly fun
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Glad you enjoyed thr trip. I was terrified for those days sitting and watching them from my little glass booth and having to run home through those dark and winding alleys at night. I still wonder what they wanted? Glad I didn`t need to find out from experience though!
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
That`s a huge compliment from someone who writes so well.
I just loved those two weeks in Cyprus - sitting on the roof every morning and looking out over the dusty landscape - it was beautiful.... and not in a beautiful way - just in it`s simplicity.
There is NO way I would charge at a pitbull - even thinking about it I shiver!
Ash
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I want you to know how much I have enjoyed this series of posts! [deep bow]
Mis
Kalikapsychosis
Kmans dog handling tip - when they spring, grab the forelegs and reef them in separate directions. Cracks the breastbone instantly. I dont have experience, but he does!
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Thanks! That means a lot coming from you!
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
yep in those situations you certainly have to think on your feet. That`s some good advice I will store in thebrain bank!
Ash
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
You are so welcome!
Mis
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
...okay. Greyer....
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Love Speaks
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
~So many mornings spent in India watching the sun rise from the roof of the house I stayed in. Listening to the early morning prayers blasting through loudspeakers...lifting up through the quiet... I think Krishna is deaf btw.
*laughs*
Those swims alone sounded like a good reason to stay?
Lovely reflections here (for me too) ... Cyprus sounds like my kinda place... I'm sorry you had to leave..
*sigh*
I could've kept on reading this chapter
Lilla ...
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
lol don't I know that feeling well! I just dont understand how people cannot want to travel! I have banned myself from watching any TV shows and limited myself to travel sites only once a week because I could just go ANYWHERE!
Cyprus was an incredible trip. Although it never went to plan it was just the two weeks I needed after such a stressful few previous months. I learnt a lot about myself and where my feet were and I loved all of that but I also needed to have a break and this was the perfect way to spend it.
Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
ah I was gutted I had to leave so soon too. One afternoon we went to this beach bar and I was actually offered a job! I was so tempted to say yes but then the owner found out I didn`t speak a word of the language and so took his offer back.
Cyprus would DEFINITELY be worth the trip believe you me you would love it. It is so difficult to explain the romantic beauty of a dusty landscape, the ambiance, the exotic nature of it all cannot be truly captured by words - walking along the harbour by night, the old fortress lit up as diners eat exotic dishes by lantern light in its shadows and ancient looking boats creak under a tiny whisper of a breeze coming off the ocean, the perfectly toned bodies of men dipping into the crystal clear water, their hair black as night trickling down their backs - there was just so much in these two weeks that I would dedicate to a whole chapter in a book, it was an amazing time. I loved every second.
Oh now I want to go back and see more of it!
Ash