While I expected to navigate a new environment and culture in Cyprus, I did not expect the process to begin at 7:30 AM sharp on our first full day in the country.

At 7:30 AM, I left the hotel and crossed the street to the restaurant in front it for breakfast. While I was not expecting bagels and cream cheese, my jaw fell to the floor when I saw the traditional Cypriot buffet lined up on the counter. I was surprised to see vegetables and smoked salmon which left a very savory taste in my mouth. I ate the baby beets for the first time, which was a fascinating experience because it was oddly crunchy and satisfying to eat. Being a person that does not normally eat raw vegetables, eating fresh, in-season vegetables made me feel like I was truly immersing myself in Mediterranean culture.

Beyond the hearty, nutritious breakfast we enjoyed everyday, I was also shocked by Cypriot meal time culture. In America, I had grown accustomed to quick lunch breaks that were no longer than 30 minutes. Yet, in Cyprus, our lunch breaks would be a more leisurely activity, lasting around two hours at a time.

Furthermore, I thought large portion sizes were an American staple, so I was surprised to see massive plates of food served in Cyprus. For instance, for our welcome dinner we went to Tavernaki and I shared a chicken platter with Julia (another student in my cohort). While the food was beyond delicious, there was no way we could have finished the entire portion so I felt really bad wasting so much food. This put into perspective the privilege we have as tourists from a more wealthy country, because the food we could have left could have fed several people. This was not the only instance this happened either.

When we went to the Old Fish Tavern in Zygi, four people shared a single fish meze, which we were unable to finish even half of. For context, a meze is a traditional Cypriot meal comprised of many small dishes served one after another.

Ultimately, when it comes to navigating a new culinary environment, the biggest cultural shock I experienced was after I ate gelato that was cross-contaminated with tree nuts, to which I was allergic. I mean the experience literally sent me into anaphylactic shock, requiring me to go to the emergency room at 12 AM. Thankfully, I was surrounded by a group of students, that called Jodi as soon as I felt that I was entering anaphylactic shock. Even though it was a daunting experience, it gave me profound insight into the Cyprian healthcare system. While, I will save the details of this experience for my following post, my biggest take away was the realization of the extreme extent to which culture, infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors play a role in accessing healthcare.

To end on a lighter note, Limassol, the city where we stayed, is dotted with 24/7 mini-marts. Since there was one within a 5 minute walk from the hotel, it served as the perfect setting for us to test-out any new language skills we had been taught during the day. Despite our broken Greek, the local Cypriots appreciated the effort we made and engaged in casual conversation with us. At the mini-mart, the discussion soon turned to American politics with an emphasis on the 2024 presidential election. This conversation gave critical insight into how Cypriots perceive American politics and trust certain YouTube channels as accurate sources.

γειά σας,

Aqsa Owais