The City

Day 3- Lefkosia/Nicosia
 This morning, we left the coast and headed to the city.  EMU sent a very nice driver, he was cute, in a Turkish man way, and had a heart tattoo similar to mine.  Funny, I tried to talk to him about it.  I don't think he spoke any English, but I did manage to get a smile or two from him :)  see more pictures here

 

He dropped us at the crossing, we crossed at the UN BUFFER ZONE; Steve didn't let me take any shots...ha because I wasn't allowed to!  You take camera shot-you go get shot at (must read this like you tourist) 

It was pretty cool.  We sat waiting until Steve realized when he tried to call Mike that we were still in TRNC meaning we had to walk through the green zone.

So, after a few minutes and passport checks we then found the CCMC and they helped us get a car to get to the hotel.

Then we dropped our bags because the room wasn't ready and walked about the city.   Pics

After we came back to the hotel; Steve and Mike were discussing the seminar at CCMC and how the room was going to work.  That looked good so we walked more and had a very good dinner.  It's been hard to fight the sleep so I went and got a coffee; being spoiled to Turkish Coffee already...I asked for Expresso and started talking to Christos~ 

 

 

Christos has been alive ever since the dispute has been around.  I showed him this picture

That we found today in the museum, dating back to some negotiations from years ago...I said "Can you read it?"  He says "The two sides agree on the sh*tting problems, there are so many, and it's so complicated-Since 1974 we never have 'shooting' problems, but [the Turks IE military] move slowly to get what they want, they want the whole island, they have no reason to be here, in this European country...."
I'm thinking uh oh....
"Everyone likes to blame the Turks.  For these [Cyprus] to find peace as soon as [the troops] leave.  The Turks must leave.
Me:  The Turkish Cypriots?
Chris:  The troops.  The troops must go, of course not the TC-they can stay this is their land too."

 

Breaking Through

Today, I sat in the back of Ayca's little gold ride.  I love the autos here, there are built small, petro is expensive here.  Aprrox $7/gal
Ayca is from Turkey.  She has freckles! 
She is very kind.  She is also a graduate student, preparing her thesis for her PhD.  Most of all the students I met were PhD.  And they are all unique.
The class we had today was filled with a mix of students from several different parts of the world.  They were a great class eager to learn.  Watching Steven lay the foundations of Peace Journalism at this level~ 

This is what peace journalism is all about.  Not just peace journalism; but learning the world and all it's people.  Ayca (pronounced I-cha) having freckles, I wouldn't had thought people here would have had freckles but guess what they do.  And how bout the girl with the head wrap?  Her name is Elnaz, and the headwrap, they call it a ḥijāb.  She is from Iran.  She is also a doctoral student.  In the car we were talking about cultural ideas, IE what you may think about when you think of a nation.  Would you think most women from Iran are educated?  And free to do so?  She doesn't even have to wear the hijab.  It's her choice.

Now look at us.  Aren't we awesome?  Elnaz, Ayca and Sarah.
Iran, Turkey and USA...and they will soon be doctors!!  I have to grad first.  Then master, then find my thesis... (I told Dr. A I would most likely find it on my grocery list)
Anyways.  My point is this.  The only way to break through these misconceptions of culture is to do it.  Get out there, meet new people, visit the world and BREAK THROUGH.  Don't believe everything you hear and do not fear the unknown.  There is a whole wide world begging to teach us if we only dare let it.  So many people need to open their eyes, use their minds, and practice PJ. 
The only way to teach peace journalism is to teach peace journalism.  I am so glad [we] came here.  Today was a big day.  We met the rector, which is like the head of EMU which a very, very nice school with lots of nice marble and glass.  Yeah~Park doesn't have much on that, but that's ok.

These people are smart, well spoken, kind.  There is no wonder peace journalism had it's start here.  They were the first to start teaching it.  Dr. Suleyman is from Turkey; and because so he cannot cross into south Cyprus without complications.  It's their loss.  Greek-Cypriots are not as lenient.  But like Prof. Dr. Abdullah Y. ÖZTOPRAK says when we met him, "That's why you are here, peace journalists."  Tomorrow we cross.

 

Cyprus

Cyprus dispute

The invasion of Turkey into (Northern) Cyprus happened in 1974.  Now there are two sides, the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, who because of both cultural and economic factors do not get along.  Cyprus is going broke, and Northern Cyprus isn’t recognized as a country.  Cyprus dispute   Peace negotiations have started between the two to see if they can get along so the country can function as a whole. 

 

And so Steve & Sarah go to Cyprus for Peace Journalism

Park may have paid the 2000 for the flight hotel and food costs; but a trip around the world with Professor Steve is (Youngblood) is absolutely priceless!! 

This trip was long.  I won’t go into detail. 

After we landed customs didn’t take very long, we went through very fast and the man took my passport and gave the ok for me to enter the country. 

I was scared the first night; it was hard being so far away.  I sat in the back of the car; eyes open; HUGE. 

Quiet, it is so beautiful here.  The hot shower felt amazing on a tired cramped body that had been in a seat for 24+ segments of minutes of sixty.  I did however almost fall out because it is a steep drop!  On the flip side the bathroom floors stay hot!!  Very nice ;)

I woke up 2x and was scared, but finally when I woke up the last time it was time for me to get ready and head downstairs for breakfast!!  It was great because I found all my most favorite things.

Sunday

We just went for a walk on the beach and it was awesome.  Once I got a handle on my nerves things really started to get better.   I was being a weenie when we first go there, everything was strange, and I didn’t know what to do!!  But it is so very nice here and the people are so friendly.  I had a tasty Turkish brunch with the most delicious treats!  Tea, olives, figs, and fresh cheeses.  Then a good hot swim and workout, then relaxed with a walk along the most beautiful beach.  We start work at Eastern Mediterranean University Monday.  It's 3pm here and soon we will be going into the city.  I was scared at first, especially last night when we got here.  I was tired, disoriented, scared, everything was foreign, but after a good welcome I feel much better.  This place is cool!!!   https://www.facebook.com/Skittibbittydoo

Metin and his wife took us for a visit around the city.  I am stuffed we just had the most very wonderful dinner; the food is amazing here.  I figured out how to eat my meal once I was close to finished with it….

 

https://twitter.com/skittibbittydoo

 

We had an excellent dinner and I appreciated not only the good food but the people that joined me; that was the best part.