Cyprus

July 2017

Elsa summer law school: competition law

On the day we arrived it was 48 degrees. I love summer but that is too much. Sitting !!! outside for more than 2 minutes was pretty difficult. The rest of the days it was 35-44ish, that was quite fine!

Cyprus is a mashup of different cultures. A looottt of greek influenced food, and it is all delicious!

Republic of Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean and the third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean. It is located south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, northwest of Israel, north of Egypt, and southeast of Greece.

Fresh salad and plain yogurt accompany most meals, which usually consist of vegetables cooked in various ways and includes what is known as yahni (with olive oil, tomatoes and onions).

The lectures were held in the two main universities of Cyprus.

View over Cyprus from the tower on the main street.

The population of Cyprus is 1.17 million (2016). Around 13% speak the official language Turkish, and 84% speak the official language Greek. The island is divided into two, and the Cypriot Turks live to the north, the Greek Cypriots to the south. Around 2.7% of each also speak the minority languages Armenian and Arabic, and most of these also speak Greek. Most people also speak English.

Cyprus museum

Supreme court

Our hotel was right next to the borderline separating the Turkish part from Cyprus. There were bullet holes in the City wall.

Nicosia is the world's last divided capital. The barbed wire and guardtowers of the Green Line cuts the town in two, with the northern side being the capital of the self-proclaimed Northern Cyprus and the southern half being the capital of the Republic of Cyprus.

On 15 July 1974, the Greek military junta under Dimitrios Ioannides carried out a coup d'état in Cyprus, to unite the island with Greece. The Turkish air force began bombing Greek positions in Cyprus. Three days later, a ceasefire had been agreed. After the restoration of constitutional order, Turkish troops remained, occupying the northeastern portion of the island. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot leader proclaimed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Turkey.

Nicosia can be quite an ordinary looking capital city, but it has so many excellent spots to go out!

1. Garden Day and Night - was probably one of our favorites. Shisha, normally priced drinks, live performers, poolside area, a lot of room, inside and outside dancing area. Once they were full and didn´t let any more people in, so someone made a call to someone who knew the owner and a group of 20+ people was very welcome.

2. Lost + Found Drinkery - included in topp 50 of the best bars in the world. Super skilled and handsome bar tenders.

3. Patio - an amazing colourful, vibrant half-outdoorsy bar. ALways full, so book a table before. Great drinks. Classy atmosphere. Live performers.

The ohter two we visited were Canteen - great for a fun night out dancing and Banko bar - a classy cocktail lounge on a street corner (a bit away from the main street).

On the days we did not have time to go to the sea, this pool was a life saver!

Nicosia is not that far from the sea, but the beach is on the Turkish side. (Luckily, neither Limassol, Larnaca or Ayia Napa beaches are that far). As is the airport, which is why international flights go to Larnaca airport.

Cosy main walking street. Right next to it is the border and the way to the turkish area.

Boat trip with the "Black Pearl". One of my favorite activities we did for sure. Sailing on a bit stormy crystal clear light blue seas in Pirates of the Carribean style, sipping cheap breezy colourful cocktails, dancing to upbeat party hits and occasionally jumping into the refreshing water. Having a simple dinner on deck and returning at sunset with a magnificent view. Convinced yet?