Lazy Mediterranean Days...
Man I've been lazy...a friend transferred a ton of movies onto my laptop the other day, and I've been averaging about 4 a day since. In fact, I'm trying to hurry through this post so I can watch my next flick. I just finished my last class for the week, so let the weekend begin!
I've been playing a little basketball with my Cameroonian friend, eating well, and living the life since my roommate left for Romania. He'll be back in a few days, so I'm just relishing the joys of living alone for the time being. I did well on my sociology mid-term: 89%...although I obviously could have done better. My last mid-term is next Wednesday, and I definitely have some reading to do for that. I kind of hate when professors let you know what essay will be an exam, because then you know they expect SO much more information/understanding on the topic.
Cyprus is officially in a severe drought and is on water conservation status. This is a direct cause of four years of drought, and no rain in the typical winter months. For me that means that I only have "flowing" water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and possibly Sundays, depending on what the government decides. Other parts of Cyprus are split on the other three days. This means that from 6 p.m. on my days, to 6 a.m. on the following day the water tanks on top of our apartment building (one tank for each room) has water that will refill what we have used in the off days. Therefore, we have been filling up empty water bottles, soda bottles, wine bottles, etc., so that we have water in case we run out on an "off day". We have also been provided with buckets in case of a "toilet emergency". So far this has yet to affect me directly (we have not run out of water), but it is annoying as I really can't work out on days when we don't have "flowing" water, because I like to shower after exercising, and there's really not enough water to take a shower/do laundry/etc., when the tanks aren't being refilled. Oh well, it's all part of the experience right?
Yesterday a few girls and I walked to downtown Lefkosia, and crossed to the north side (TRNC) via the Lydra St. entrance, which opened that day for the first time in about 34 years; so that was pretty historic. Man these Greek Cypriots are pushy jerks though, I swear an old woman about half my size damn near pushed me over trying to get to the check-point/passport stamp booth. Once we got over there we only stayed for about half-an-hour (after waiting in line for about 45 mins). But we got the chance to observe traditional dancers and musicians, which was really neat. We also got to try free samples that were given out on the street. They were basically the Turkish equivalent of funnel cake, but they were tiny little deep-fried dough balls...but they were very good.
I have developed a slight sore throat over the last few days, but I've been taking my multi-vitamins every day, so I hope that it subsides without a flu/cold developing out of it...I really can't handle that right now.
In other news, I leave for my Europe trip in about 16 days, so I AM PUMPED! WHOOHOO! That is going to be so much fun. And on the day I return from that trip I leave on a cruise for Cairo! I'm glad I'm here, but I do miss family/friends, and especially the green and natural atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest...I've convinced several of my friends in the program to come visit me on the west coast when we get back; I hope they will.
N E wayz, I got some movies to watch; Peace out thugz, I'll write later,
~S
I've been playing a little basketball with my Cameroonian friend, eating well, and living the life since my roommate left for Romania. He'll be back in a few days, so I'm just relishing the joys of living alone for the time being. I did well on my sociology mid-term: 89%...although I obviously could have done better. My last mid-term is next Wednesday, and I definitely have some reading to do for that. I kind of hate when professors let you know what essay will be an exam, because then you know they expect SO much more information/understanding on the topic.
Cyprus is officially in a severe drought and is on water conservation status. This is a direct cause of four years of drought, and no rain in the typical winter months. For me that means that I only have "flowing" water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and possibly Sundays, depending on what the government decides. Other parts of Cyprus are split on the other three days. This means that from 6 p.m. on my days, to 6 a.m. on the following day the water tanks on top of our apartment building (one tank for each room) has water that will refill what we have used in the off days. Therefore, we have been filling up empty water bottles, soda bottles, wine bottles, etc., so that we have water in case we run out on an "off day". We have also been provided with buckets in case of a "toilet emergency". So far this has yet to affect me directly (we have not run out of water), but it is annoying as I really can't work out on days when we don't have "flowing" water, because I like to shower after exercising, and there's really not enough water to take a shower/do laundry/etc., when the tanks aren't being refilled. Oh well, it's all part of the experience right?
Yesterday a few girls and I walked to downtown Lefkosia, and crossed to the north side (TRNC) via the Lydra St. entrance, which opened that day for the first time in about 34 years; so that was pretty historic. Man these Greek Cypriots are pushy jerks though, I swear an old woman about half my size damn near pushed me over trying to get to the check-point/passport stamp booth. Once we got over there we only stayed for about half-an-hour (after waiting in line for about 45 mins). But we got the chance to observe traditional dancers and musicians, which was really neat. We also got to try free samples that were given out on the street. They were basically the Turkish equivalent of funnel cake, but they were tiny little deep-fried dough balls...but they were very good.
I have developed a slight sore throat over the last few days, but I've been taking my multi-vitamins every day, so I hope that it subsides without a flu/cold developing out of it...I really can't handle that right now.
In other news, I leave for my Europe trip in about 16 days, so I AM PUMPED! WHOOHOO! That is going to be so much fun. And on the day I return from that trip I leave on a cruise for Cairo! I'm glad I'm here, but I do miss family/friends, and especially the green and natural atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest...I've convinced several of my friends in the program to come visit me on the west coast when we get back; I hope they will.
N E wayz, I got some movies to watch; Peace out thugz, I'll write later,
~S