GOLF COURSES, CHURCHES AND meze (continued, part 4) During the two lunches with the students of Lance, I participated in several of the dialogue and the Cypriots seem to me very friendly people, happy to share their culture. I learned that the majority of Cypriots living here for several generations, and they're not going to go anywhere because the family is very important for them. Many young people go to Europe or the United States in order to graduate from the university, but they usually return home after graduate. Here it is - and is even considered for the honor - which elderly parents live together with young people and help raise the grandchildren. Lance said his students were very clever and resourceful. Local government is now in the process of renovation of almost all municipal systems and databases as well as Cyprus - a relatively new independent state. Varnavas said that Cypriots are lucky that they have inherited the British "tidiness" not Greek "disorganization." They consider themselves a more relaxed version of "noisy" Greeks. Women are here treated as equals, that the root has destroyed my concept of the Mediterranean macho. I never felt any manifestations of anti-Americanism, although in older generation is still somewhat disappointed by the U.S. government, which gave the nod to the Turkish invasion. Peter-To-Romiou (Rock of Aphrodite), the last day of the workweek Lance, I joined a group that is sent on a tour of two local golf courses. We stopped near the first field, in place Peter-To-Romiou overlooking that part of the sea, where according to legend, was born the goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite. Hence the name of the first resort - Aphrodite Hills. Despite the fact that golf courses do not usually produce a great impression on me, must admit this is a field where most likely we could not even afford to order a cup of coffee, I was impressed. However, in this time of year to come here can afford almost everything. The rooms of the Hotel Intercontinental, many of them with private pool, overlooking the birthplace of Aphrodite and a new chapel in the old style. Here is a resort with a championship golf course at par 72. Nearby are tennis courts, a small "village" with restaurants, exclusive boutiques and a spa. This salon is interesting in that massage is carried out in the open air, while you admire the seascape. Local villa located around the resort and facing new villas in the local style: a simple two-storey angled structure with smooth plastered walls of white, pale pink, flesh or yellow color and with a roof of red tiles. The second resort, "Secret Valley", the level of luxury was a few steps below, but there was a charming guest house, which served very nice staff. All this reminded me of the Warner Springs (resort near San Diego, California, ca. Perevi.). After a tour of the golf courses Lance officially finished work and could now nothing to worry, so we went for a walk in the Troodos mountains. In fact, to get there, we spent a lot of energy and nerves. Everything began quite peacefully when we stopped at the roadside to look at a flock of sheep, who tried to climb the olive trees and chew their cud after dinner. As we move forward we are faced with a strange road conditions: partly dirt, partly asphalt, and at times bumpy, and a combination of both. The road to two lanes suddenly narrowed by half without warning, often right in the middle of a sharp turn. Brigades working on the road with their big trucks blocked the road sections every 5-7 km, and local drivers sadistic raced on the turns without thinking about the order to lose speed. Many of them were choking with laughter when they saw the horror with which we react to it. It seemed as if we were in some sort of computer game in which the different aggressive character tries to destroy us. Goats Fortunately, we quickly got to Kakopetria, our base for the next two days. The history of this old village has its roots in the 5 th century BC. It is from this period dates here situated temple of Athena and Hercules. The town was built on the banks of a small river, and the two sides concluded in the powerful embrace of the mountains. The narrow winding streets (beware of abnormal local, which are worn out there at full speed) built up the ancient dilapidated houses, which somehow mysteriously became only the more attractive of plants planted in old cans and barrels for gasoline. We were fascinated by the fact that our hotel seemed stuck on a hillside near a small river. Now we could only figure out how to get to the other shore. Before you leave the town, we noticed a small bridge that led us to the hotel Mill Hotel. Institution is located in an old mill, built in the middle of XVII century. The structure used for its intended purpose until the middle of last century, and in the late 70's. here staged a hotel. We liked our new home away from home. Spacious room with antique furniture, private balcony that overlooks the river, and a Jacuzzi for relaxation. Plaster on the walls was mixed with stones and hay, which adds a sense of antiquity. We left things in the room and went for a walk through the town and have dinner. On the way home we bought plum jam from a woman who sold their wares from the doorway of his home (and later, when we tried to jam, we regret that did not buy the whole "party" jam wholesale). Listeners Lanza advised to visit the restaurant "U Lina," and they were right. We ducked to get through a small doorway and found ourselves in a medieval institution, in which darkness broken only by slabome candlelight. In the next few hours we'll find an excellent meze, of which there were olives, and toasted halloumi cheese (made from a mixture of goat and sheep milk, approx. Perevi.) Marinated in wine, octopus, roasted vegetables, minced lamb on skewers, stuffed artichokes and candied fruit. Start material: Completion of material:
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