After a week full of activities both inside and outside the office, the second week has followed on the same line. Planning of activities, workshops and events we are going to carry out throughout the year, development of the first event “Open Mind, Open World“, begining the works as a volunteer at the Shelter or centre of Caritas, and so many activities such as workshops of vegetarian cuisine, movie club, sporting activities… this sums up our second week in Lefkosia , Nicosia in Greek.
Apart from work and activities, we have also had time to enjoy leisure time. Not going so far, on Tuesday night we went to dinner at Lefki´s home, Coordinator of the “Cultural Caravan” team, our project. There we met the volunteers with all YEU Cyprus team. A few snacks and as dinner main five huge pizzas. After dinner, all the team sit down to make the night more enjoyable with board games. No doubt, the goal was reached.
Another activity that we’ve done this week has consisted of a “route of orientation” by the city. A highly recommended activity to discover different points of the city in a playful but also competitive way. In less than an hour, we had to respond to several questions about different features of the city. We almost got it. This is one of the many cultural and social activities which are carried out in the city and do not require a big outlay for fun. It is also possible to enjoy without spending a lot of money.
As a curiosity, I have to say that this year I have enjoyed the Easter twice. I mean the days of holidays. Throughout this week has been celebrated this holiday due to the fact that in Cyprus the predominant religion is Orthodox. People traditionaly roast lamb and swell to eat at family basically at this time. More or less what we do in Spain by Christmas. Also they walk in procession to the virgin and the night before to the Sunday of Resurrection they make a big bonfire in front of the main churches and continue with the liturgy until well into the night. On Holy Friday we almost find a bar open in the evening to take a few beers… apparently people take very seriously this holiday here.
On Saturday, Gioia, Benjamin and I went to Larnaca, a coastal city that is basically notable for its beaches and its airport. And I say basically because the city does not have much more to see. A castle located in the same line of beach or the Church of San Lazaro may be the most attractive to visit in the city.
Quiet Sunday at home and on Monday afternoon, which was holiday, my collegues and me went with our coordinator Lefki to a village near Nicosia to do some games and activities in the town square. Everything was familiar to me. It was like being in the festivals of my mother´s town, with their traditional games, family atmosphere that reigned in the square and those posts from toys that are so typical in fairs. Toward nine o’clock in the evening, we took way back home. Batteries charged and for the week.
See you next week!