Τεύχος 2, Ιούλιος 2007

A touch of spice in a bi-communal kitchen
By Leni Photi

Bellowing from the terracotta clad rooftops of the stone houses carved into the limestone terraces of Kritou Terra, the call to the wild echoed across Cyprus to all teachers and Lyceum students alike. Come and join us at the Cyprus Environmental Studies Centre for a week of bi-communal summer camp activities around the themes of nature and the environment.

Consequently, weeks later a herd of enthusiastic teachers descended on us, Out of their comfortable, predictable, processed entertainment habitats of the urban areas of Cyprus, some of the participants looked somewhat daunted by the prospect of no TV, bars, clubs, cinemas, shops to occupy themselves. But most soon adjusted to village life; there was always the coffee shops, Mario's Taverna and the study centre to congregate on those occasional gap moments with no timetabled activities. The opportunity to pack as many activities into each day from early morning to late night was there for the insomniacs and rocket fuelled individuals. A typical day consisted of an hors-deurve of yoga, reiki or birdwatching, followed by the main course of a day of classroom-based or outdoor activities and finished off with a light dessert of bat watching, star gazing, film night or a beach barbeque all silver-served by our delightful waiting staff of Nick, Lyndon, Leni, Daphne, Athina, Nausika, (the staff of the centre), Ismet, Bulus (Turkish Cypriot Community Co-ordinators) and Zephyros Adventure Sports!

As a teacher, it was interesting to step back and observe the metamorphosis of each group as the week progressed. You could literally see people coming out of their shells and integrating into the wonderful Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot soup that just kept getting tastier and more aromatic, finding their own harmony in a peaceful and inspiring natural back drop. Many cross- cultural friendships emerged and the deep-seated political and geographical barriers dissolved into oblivion. It was particularly enjoyable watching the group of teachers embracing the experience of handling snakes (well most of them) at Snake George's Reptile Park and questioning their own fears of these misunderstood and persecuted creatures.

In fact, one of the underlying successes of each summer camp was the challenging of fears of all shapes and sizes (with a bit of encouragement). Other successes included sharing culture, language, music, experiences, hopes and dreams. At the end of each camp as I wave goodbye to the coach disappearing up the road, I smile to myself, knowing that our fleeting visitors have been touched with a pinch of spice in their bi-communal kitchen.  

 

Γίνε Φίλος

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Αρχείο

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