Week 1 down

γειά σου! well my first week at University of Nicosia went FABULOUS! The classes I am taking are very interesting and I am learning a lot! My art history class really focuses on teaching us about ancient artifacts and art that we are going to see while on our trip. My greek language class is also very useful, but I am still trying to learn the language a little better, at least the slang portion. This weekend we went on a trip to Limassol, Pafos, and Lefkara. Here was my itenerary: 

On friday we went to Limassol, stopping at Limassol Castle, where the wedding of Richard the Lionheart with Berengaria of Navarre took place!  

Next we went towards Paphos stopping at Kolossi Castle (http://www.cyprus.com/kolossi-castle.html) which is said to be the best preserved medieval castle in Cyprus and Kourion ((http://www.cyprus.com/theatre-of-kourion.html) to see the beautifully preserved mosaics and magnificent Greco-Roman theater of this ancient city kingdom.

Our last stop before Paphos was at Petra tou Romiou ("The Rock of the Greek") (http://www.cyprus.com/petra-tou-romiou.html ), to take pictures at the birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty!

When we arrived in Paphos we had free time for lunch at the harbor, after which we will continue with our tour, visiting the Mosaics (http://www.cyprus.com/pafos-mosaics.html).

We stayed at the Aqua Sol Holiday Village, then on Saturday we had a free day, where I went to Coral Bay beach, the most clear water I have ever seen in my life! 

Sunday morning we stopped in Lefkara, a village famous for its lace and silver works in the Troodos mountains where you can have lunch.  According to tradition, Leonardo da Vinci visited Lefkara and bought a lace alter cloth which he donated to the Milan Duomo!


We got back late sunday afternoon in Nicosia. Today starts week 2 of school! We will be going to Ayia Nappa and Larnaca this weekend where I plan on snorkeling and cliff diving! I also got an email from Nicosia General Hospital, for the OK to volunteer there once a week for a few hours to get the feel for the healthcare system over here.


Check back next Monday for a new update! 


To see pictures from my trip so far check out: 
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150853962487035.398107.564557034&type=3&l=128f29b0e9
and
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150854025517035.398116.564557034&type=1&l=45ed210fa5