In love with Cyprus

After a recent trip to the UK, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I realised how much I love living in Cyprus.

Although staying in London, I was struck by the polite and helpful shop staff, the wide choice of goods available, the reasonable prices-and stable ones -no three tier system here-one for the Cypriots, one for the locals and one for the tourists; the friendly attitude of passers by and the general lack of random rubbish dumps, I found myself yearning for home. I spent time growing up between both countries and have always felt torn between the two.

I realised on this trip how much Cyprus means to me, and in particular my hometown of Paphos.

Despite the holes in the roads, the never- ending public works projects, the bureaucracy and red tape, the blatant nepotism, poor policing, touting, soaring costs and rude shop staff, it’s a piece of heaven.

Paphos isn’t all sunshine, sunsets and brandy sours -although that helps. But the feeling of community still exists as does the Cypriot hospitality and a laid back approach to life.

Other towns may look down their refined Greek noses at us, and regard ‘Pafites’ as peasants, and maybe we are. But what’ wrong with that?

Paphos produces some of the best wine on the island, as well as olives, nuts and fruit. We are the only town to grow bananas and at this time of year mushroom and snail collecting produces fine succulent specimens. The smell of souvla wafts across from nearly every house on Sundays and family is still held in high regard. Folk here are churchgoing and our ‘mall’ may be an overblown supermarket, but it suffices.

It’s always good to leave the island at least once a year to travel and experience new things. But for me at least, coming home is even better.