Sunday, June 5, 2011

Nicosia, Cyprus


Since early last fall I've been granted an amazing opportunity- I've been writing and editing for Cyprus "PULSE" Magazine, a new lifestyle magazine on the island published by Pericles Nicolaides. I've written editorials and a few articles about various topics and I have to say that I'm flattered by the opportunity to take part in something so new and exciting. A few months ago I had the opportunity to travel to Cyprus to experience the island for myself, to meet the people and taste the flavors. Cyprus is really a paradise. 

I was received by our friends,  Phivos and Popi Nicolaides, they are the two of the most gracious hosts I've ever visited! 

On the first day of my visit we walked through old Nicosia and I fell in love with the character & charm of the old neighborhood and its buildings. Nicosia has been the capital of Cyprus since the 10th century. 


A narrow street in old Nicosia. 

This is the door on the House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios. This was originally a Venetian Building and it's probably one of the most important 18th century buildings in Nicosia. 

House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios

Phivos & Popi pose in front of the magnificent door of the House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios.

A deteriorated balcony. I can only imagine how beautiful this once was. 

These metal plaques are on the street. If you follow them, they will direct you to the city walls. 



 Very quaint & welcoming.

I love taking photos of doorways and windows. It was fairly difficult to take photos of some of the doorways because the streets are so narrow and there isn't much space to work with but I love how quaint the neighborhood is.  This entrance is beautiful. 

 Here's the Famagusta Gate. It's the only one of Nicosia's three old gates within the southern sector. Now it's the Lefkosia Municipal Cultural Centre where it hosts various exhibitions and performances. 

I've read about the Famagusta Gate before and it was almost surreal for me to  actually stand in front of it. A great experience.

Archbishop Kyprianos bust and the Agios Ioannis Cathedral. 

 Another narrow street. 

Eleftheria (Liberty) Monument in Nicosia constructed a few weeks before the Turkish invasion in 1974 and not yet inaugurated, for obvious reasons. 

Hamam Omerye...I didn't have time to experience their services, but one day I will make the time.

Inside Hamam Omerye 

A cafe near the Hamam. 

Inside Agios Antonios church in the old city of Nicosia. Popi is glad to explain details about the church to some English tourists. I was lucky to have the best tour guides as my hosts.  Listening and learning from their personal experiences was intriguing and I learned a lot from them. 





A cat in the garden  just outside of Agios Antonios church. 

Walking along the city streets we found a really cool motorcycle,  a perfect photo opportunity! 

I can imagine this is a fun place...

 Ledra Street off of  Eleftheria Square links the old Nicosia with the modern city. 

Phivos made a new acquaintance while waiting to cross the Green Line.  Another great photo opportunity! 

Later, we crossed the Green Line into the Turkish occupied side of Nicosia. There is a noticeable difference walking from one side to the other. On the Cypriot side there are elegant, modern shops and just beyond checkpoint on the Turkish occupied side is a marketplace. 



Silk cocoons for sale. 

In the courtyard of the Great Inn. This is a beautiful structure with an intriguing history is considered to be one of the finest buildings on the island. 


 A view of the Selimiye mosque, originally the Roman Catholic cathedral of Agia Sofia, is the oldest, and one of the finest examples of Gothic art in Cyprus, the work of the French masons who accompanied the Crusades. 


As we walked back to Ledra Street in Nicosia we stopped to chat with a friend of Popi & Phivos. 

Myself with Molly Zoeller(she graced the first cover of Cyprus Pulse), her fiancée Alkis,  Marios  and his lovely wife, Efi. 

We walked a lot that morning and after enjoying a nice lunch with new friends, we rested and then packed up and drove to Paphos for the weekend. 

While visiting, I was lucky enough to spend some time with the wonderful-sweet dog Buddy
I had a wonderful time in Nicosia, I have nothing but fond memories and throughly enjoyed my experience. I consider it an honor to have such warm and generous friends. 



26 comments:

  1. Really nice photos, Cheryl. I especially liked the metal plaques that give directions to the city walls. I have many friends from Cyrus (I've never visited) yet I've not seen these types of photos from them. I liked your commentary as well.

    Congrats on your endeavor with the Pulse! Btw, you're so photogenic you could be on the cover of a future issue.

    Donna

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  2. Hi Donna, I'm glad that you enjoyed the post...and thank you so much for the compliments! It means a lot coming from you, a writer yourself. I'll be tweeting later or tomorrow. Thank you, have a great new week!!
    :)

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  3. Your post is just amazing and your pictures gorgeous. Thank you for your generous comments on us. The pleasure and the honor were ours! We shall always recall the lovely time we all share together with you in Cyprus. Efharisto poli!

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  4. These are great photos! Thanks for sharing. =) I am drawn to taking pictures of doors and windows too!! =)

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  5. @ Phivos... You're more than welcome and Thank you! I'm so happy that you like this post. Everything I said about my visit is true, you & Popi are the most amazing & wonderful people. And Cyprus is absolutely beautiful--I'm honored by the opportunity to have visited!

    @ Mel...Thank you! I'll post in FB soon. I am spread so thin lately, I know...you know~ I want to take you to Athitos so we can take pics together. Let's try to do that or meet downtown!
    xoxo

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  6. Lovely photos...did I tell you I used to live in Cyprus when I was a child....my father was in the RAF..I remember it as a magical place and believe it was the beginning of my love affair with all things Greek...I visited it again in 73 for my honeymoon (1st!) and have been there again in the 90's love it!!
    Take care
    x

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  7. @ Jude...Good morning and thank you! I didn't know that you had lived in Cyprus as a child, now I can understand your love for island life. It is really, really a beautiful place! :):)
    Have a nice week Jude!! xo

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  8. Cheryl loved one beautiful post.
    Nicosia is really a show, I'd love to visit it.
    I have to congratulate you for your work, you're talented and I admire you very much.
    A kiss to you soon.

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  9. Anna Maria...Thank you so much for your kind words, I'm really flattered that you enjoy my work. You know, your blog is really great too! :)
    Thank you!!
    Have a wonderful week!
    Kisses xo :)

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  10. I see that you had a really good time with blog-friends, What a wonderful place to visit!

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  11. Hi Ola...yes, I had a really nice time. And yes, Cyprus is a wonderful place to visit! I hope all is well with you Ola. :)

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  12. Cheryl ...thank you so much for this amazing post!! Thanks for appreciating Cyprus so much and for visiting the island a few months ago- we'd loveeee to have you again whenever you can-hopefully this time we'll have the chance to meet your family as well! In the meantime, enjoy your summer and make the most of it in beautiful Thessaloniki! Much love
    Marios & Efi xoxo
    ps thanks for posting this great pic from our get-together!

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  13. Marios & Efi...You're so welcome! I had such a nice time and I can't wait to visit again. My kids keep asking when we're going to Cyprus because they adore Phivos & Popi, so you'll meet them too one day. I loved our lunch together and I'm looking forward to seeing you again. Have a wonderful week and an amazing summer in Cyprus! :)

    xo!!

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  14. what beautiful photos of your visit, cheryl — and big congrats on your writing assignment for phivos' son's magazine — how cool for you! will you be posting any of your articles on your blog?

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  15. Your photos are stunning, Cheryl :)

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  16. Thank you Cheryl for this wonderful photo-trip!!!
    Cyprous is beautiful!!!
    Many greetings

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  17. @Amanda...Thank you! And thank you - regarding my writing- I was flattered when asked. I've thought about posting an article or editorial here, you never know! :)

    It's always great to hear from you! :)

    @ Dragon...Hi Dragon! Thank you so much for the compliment! :)


    @ Magda...You're so welcome! I agree, Cyprus is very beautiful. I have more photos to come, soon!
    So good to hear from you. :):)

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  18. Πολύ ωραίες φωτογραφίες όπως πάντα ! Αλλά και η Κύπρος, μέρος μαγικό, ονειρεμένο ! Είμαι σίγουρη ότι απόλαυσες τη διαμονή σου εκεί κι ότι θα ακολουθήσουν πολλά ταξιδια στην Κύπρο. Ο Φοίβος και η Πόπη είναι τρομερά φιλόξενοι και ιδιαίτεροι άνθρωποι. Είσαι τυχερή που τους γνώρισες.
    Υ.Γ. όποιος επισκέπτεται την Κύπρο, την ερωτεύεται για πάντα !!!
    Καλό καλοκαίρι
    Υβ'ονη

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  19. How incredible beautiful pictures??I will surely share it with my friends.Thanks for sharing...Great post!

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  20. thanks for this quick spin through cyprus - having a local host is always the best way to see a place and really get to know it

    i'm intrigued by those dried aubergines - i have a lot in the garden right now, and i've been told by a friend how to dry them sliced, to be used as fritters in the winter; your photo has inspired me!

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  21. Hi Maria, I'm glad that you enjoyed this post. I've never had dried aubergines myself, I can't wait until you share your experience with them. :)

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  22. @Υβ'ονη---Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ για τα καλά σας λόγια, ναι, είμαι πολύ τυχερός που γνωρίζουμε Φοίβος ​​& Πόπη. :) Ελπίδα έχετε ένα καλό καλοκαίρι!

    @ Business logo design...thank you! :)

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  23. What an amazing post showcasing such a great place! Somehow, I too love old-style places; they have a different charm that new styles do not have.

    I liked the post so much that I saw all the photos again and again!

    Thanks for sharing, Cheryl! And how are you by the way? Enjoying the sun I guess :)

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  24. Bhavesh...THANK YOU!! I always enjoy when you visit my blog. I've been very busy with life these days. I am enjoying the sun, yes! I've had a very restful summer - I spent so much quality time with the kids, it was really nice. I'll be back to blogging soon. I hope you are well. And again...THANK YOU! Have a great weekend! :)

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  25. Very interesting article you have got here. My review is - Nice post by good author.. I really appreciate your post. Useful information ..I am very happy to read this post.

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  26. @boutique hotels milwaukee...Thank you so much your kind words. I'm glad that you enjoyed this post. I really enjoyed my visit. Have a wonderful weekend!

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