well, Cyprus of course. Travelled to the Island for two weeks in September 2022. Initially wanted to check out apartments but managed only to have a look or option on two that might become available in 2023. The rest was spent with our friends, chilling on Governors Beach near Limassol or taking sojourns through the Troodos Mountains, enjoying good food and drinks. That is what a holiday is meant to be. Flying from Germany was as it used to be, the airport not too full but neither empty. The dreaded face masks had to be worn since the flight originated in Germany, also from yesterday it is fine not to wear them, makes no sense either way, but that is with so many things lately. Anyway, the flight attendants were quite relaxed with implementing this rule, so overall it was ok. In Cyprus hardly anyone was seen wearing a face mask; the few that did were probably Germans. Beats me. It was still hot during day time and sometimes quite sultry at night, even in Nicosia. The water along the coast was still nice and warm and it was enjoyable to swim in the sea. We went over the "Green Line" in Nicosia, i.e. visited the northern part that is under Turkish Occupation. This is relatively easy, just show your passport or ID card and off you go. The "northern" part feels more like the Middle East, and in fact, the whole Island belongs to the Middle East, geographically and culturally as it is part of Europe only politically and administratively. The Schengen Agreement on free movement does not apply, since the Island is divided and there is no real control over who crosses from the North to the South through the UN-controlled Buffer Zone. Many migrants that try to reach mainland Europe are now routing themselves via Cyprus, having travelled to Turkey and the northern part of Cyprus crossed through the buffer Zone to the south and then trying their luck to travel onwards. Menial jobs are now often performed by migrants from south Asia or West Africa and over recent years they have become more plentiful in the streets of towns and even villages of the southern part of the island (the north as well I guess).

They often come to houses, looking for odd jobs like gardening and other stuff, trying to make a living. Every time I see them, it can break my heart to realize the hardships they must have endured to reach this place, the dangers and how big the desperation in their home countries must have been to set out on these journeys into the unknown, with the hope of reaching distant shores and a better and more prosperous and safer life. Many are without their families, although a good number I observed to be having their families with them, which actually is good but not easy at all. One can only hope that they are all treated humane and fairly, but deep inside we know that this is not the case. We are all humans and nobody is better than the other. As humanity there are big challenges ahead of us, collectively, everyone.

I did not really continue with photographing the last divided capital in the world, somehow it did not seem right this time. As the political process looks, it will remain divided for longer than people on both sides hope for, so I might come back and continue with that project. This visit also made me feel that indeed Cyprus might be the place to settle for good when finally leaving Germany, i.e. going into Exile. I will see if that holds true, as my four-month-plus journey to the Philippines and South-East Asia is only two months away. Will be interesting if I still feel so strongly for Cyprus after that time. Time will tell. It always will. 

Arriving back in Germany made me feel like leaving again immediately. In October we will be travelling to Vienna, the second time this year. I like this city, although the Austrians are not much different at all from Germans, especially the politics going on currently. Nevertheless, Vienna is a nice place and I hope to do some more street photography. I love the atmosphere of this city, one can feel it is a capital, many people from other countries abound, just different. In Cyprus, I used my Leica Cameras and the Ricoh GR 3, which seems like a good combination for the photography I am currently doing. Having too many cameras is probably a stupid first-world problem, but indeed it does not make it easier what to take on what trips. For the Philippines, I have not decided yet, on the Leica's, which are heavy, or the Pen F with the array of lenses that are much lighter. Oh well, I feel ashamed to even have to think about it.

So this is it for the time being on the trip to Cyprus. Could write much more, but not really relevant as it is holiday stuff. I do love Cyprus, and with any luck it will be our new home soon, maybe as early as next year. I keep on working on it. Peace love and light to you all.