( this page is part of my recent book “The Dots I have connected” )
Cyprus is a divided country since 1974.
There is no simple explanation on how things run in a place like Cyprus.
There are too many different opinions and perceptions for a tiny place like Cyprus.
Left part members (AKEL) believes that Cyprus belongs to their citizens, Greeks, Turks, Armenians.
Right wing (DISY and ELAM) believe that Cyprus is Greek.
As a member of a younger generation I can notice the almost 6000 years of Greek history in the island. But I can also notice that the Turkish occupation slowly destroys every Greek sign they can.
The first time I visited Greece it was a whole new world.
My first impression was negative.
I found Athens extremely dirty and extremely exhausting, as well. First of all it’s too hot, almist like Nicosia. Then, the people are more complicated. Like they are looking for an identity.
There was something different in Athens. It took me around two decades to get the whole picture. Left and right are two sides in constant combat, for many decades.
The Left wing follows the arroach of AKEL. Greece is a society open to everyone. The same time the Right wing follows the Nationalistic appoach, Greece belongs to the Greeks.
When Alexander the Great attacked Persia, he gave to the Persian King a simple reason.
“I will end your attacks to Macedonia and the rest of Greece.”
When I moved to Athens for my Bachelor’s studies in Political Science I was nineteen years old. And I was in the Gilded era of Athens. Twelve years later things would change. Greece entered a period of stagnation, mismanagement and later gone bust.
London is strange, dark, boring. My first visit was back in 1995. The food in 1995 is interesting, tasty. Thirty years later, there is a completely different London. Oxford street is full of American candy stores. Proper food can be found only outside London. I can’t enjoy the food in London. I can feel the difference of eating to the North. I can feel the elegard taste of Pork Pies in Bridlington. There is a huge difference 1995 and 2026. But, I could see it clearly since 2019. The United Kingdom in 2019 is not the United Kingdom of 1995. The number one problem I can notice, during the last eight years in England, is called Mental Health Crisis. For some reason, the society failed to support and back their people and the problem reached the highest possible level. This is a sign that the society needs an urgent re-design..
Paris is a totally different planet. You enjoy walking, discovering, learning. For some reason there is something different in Paris. The design is made for humans. You feel the difference of Paris in comparison to Athens and London. There is the term “Flânerie“. You only understand it when in Paris. Paris is extremely frienly to navigate and enjoy.
The most recent years Paris is the newest Athens. People cannot understand why prices and bills goes up and they always pay more but things are not improved. They can’t explain it but I can. It’s part of my studies. So, each time I am in Paris, it’s an extremely interesting experience of observing and watching the locals fighting to keep Paris human..
( this page is part of my recent book “The Dots I have connected” )