IT TAKES a lot to shock me, but leaving a café in Ayia Napa last night, I was staggered to be confronted by a man openly begging.
I stood staring at him unable to speak – primarily because nothing like this has ever happened to me before in Cyprus. I was not shaken, but had a problem digesting what was actually going on.
“I’m hungry, I have not eaten for three days, help me, give me money, help me. You are English? I am Polish – we are brothers,” he babbled.
He cut a pathetic figure, wearing a soiled football shirt and army duffle coat; his wet eyes were fixed on me and his hand stretched out.
I have never been at the mercy of beggars, but this man, managed to evoke a sense of pity that made me, without second thought, part with money.
I put my hand in my pocket and handed him 5 euros, he took the coins, then slowly looked at me as if I had insulted him.
“Three days – no food, I need more,” he demanded.
Within a split second the mood had changed and my emotions and realisation of what was happening became clearer. Before I had time to answer him, he was off, and quickly started harassing two elderly tourists with the line, “I have not eaten for three days.”
They too handed the man money and he made he way past the fountain to meet with a group of his friends, all laughing and joking – he had no idea I was still watching him.
I, and no doubt countless others, had been played for fools.
Ayia Napa does not seem the most obvious place in Cyprus where you would encounter street begging, but this type of anti social behaviour is on the rise.
Groups of men swigging beer and hard liquour on benches, shouting at passing traffic and urinating in the street are becoming common sight.
This new phenomenon needs to be curbed now, before it is too late.
Unacceptable problems caused by street drinkers, aggressive beggars and late-night pub and club revellers have been a headache for city dwellers in mainland Europe for years.
Ayia Napa town council need to stamp this out, before the centre of Ayia Napa becomes like the Square at the top of Ledra Street – a place where people simply dare not venture at night.
