We headed off to our favorite beach at Salamis today. I’m sure everyone finds their ‘perfect’ spot when they are on vacation. Salamis is ours – not too far to drive, very few tourists, and a great beach bar that I hope no one else ever discovers. On the way there the children were bickering like mad in the back seat of the car – no wonder – it was hot and they were tired. I told them to ‘grow up and act their age’ – an oxymoron if ever I heard one. It dawned on me that yep they are only 5 and 7 so go ahead and bicker like children.
The irony was that we were driving through Lefkosa at the time. The Northern side of Nikosia. Turkish flags were flying everywhere, and the Turkish military were flexing their muscle. With choppers overhead and jeeps with machine guns flying by us, I began to worry my Husband would develop post traumatic stress. July 20th 1974 is the day Turkey invaded Cyprus to ‘liberate’ the Turkish Cypriots. I’m not going to tell the story here – but if you’re interested you will discover that the Turks were maybe heavy handed, yet provoked and left with few other options.
Don’t get me wrong, I have no bias. Unlike many here I have no allegiance to either the Turks or the Greeks. They were both crap to each other, and continue to be so in many ways. It just saddens me that 39 years later, neither side is prepared to compromise to the extent that even a diluted recognition of the Northern territory looks feasible.
So as I told my kids to act like grown ups – I also wished for the Greeks and Turks to act like grown ups. It is wrong that this beautiful island full of history, love, incredible stories, and kind people be divided. Can’t we just all be friends?
Shorts – DVF The Outnet // Sandals – Zara // T-shirt – Zara (old)
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I just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading your blog lately. Intelligently written and well informed, I have looked forward to reading your posts on the Cypriot history (and of course the fashion).
Jenny – how lovely of you to comment. I am so glad you have enjoyed reading my posts. I really am no expert on the history of Cyprus – I can only write about what I do have knowledge of and how I see the island now – I hope things will begin to change now the border has opened up. I hope you keep reading! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and I am sorry I was so tardy in replying.
You are so good posting whilst on holiday, well done you & thanks for still being there when I check back to read through your blog! Beautiful photo of you as always and those sandals – yum! x
I enjoyed blogging while I was away – it’s nice to try and keep in touch and I wanted to document it for our sakes if no one else’s!:)
I am a long- term reader and to be honest, I was quite upset to read your version of Greek- Turkish conflict in Northern Cyprus. The Turks were not left with no choice- they simply used a difficult time in Greece to invade Cyprus, kill civilians and throw them out of their homes, and then occupy Northern Cyprus, declaring it a Turkish territory. So no, I guess it’s not up to Greeks to grow up- the Turkish government needs to apologize for the actions of their predecessors and return Northern Cyprus. However, the history tells us that sadly this is not going to happen any time soon- neither the apology (Turkey didn’t even apologize for the Armenian genocide in Turkey, dud they?), nor the return of the stolen land.