A Cairenian Semester

Whirling Dervishes Apr 19, 2006

Okay, so I really didn't see any derivishes which were whirling (its a turkish thing) but I did cross the border into Northern Cyprus this morning to enter into a whole other country... and boy, did it seem like another country. I am literally in the same city, but everything seems different: different language, different religion, a total lack of commercialism- it was nuts. As I walked up to the Ledra Palace Crossing, the only entrance into the North, I knew I was going the right direction when a white, U.N. SUV drove past me. (It looked just like U.N. SUVs in Hotel Rwanda) Anyway, first thing at the crossing is walking past teh Greek police, a plethora of Greek flags, and blatant propaganda posters announcing the killings of innocent civilians by Turkish police officers. Next, I walked through the UN zone, a path which is lined on one side by official looking UN buildings and on the other by barbed wire and a bombed out house, or what I am assuming a bombed out house looks like. Then you walk up to the Turkish immigration and they look at your passport and stamp a piece of paper that I had to hold onto until I left and got it stamped again. That means twice over spring break I am going to be getting illegitmate passport stamps... I think I should just save the sheet of paper for Tel Aviv immigration... So yes, I spent the afternoon wandering around Turkey, and for real, it looked just like how I would imagine Turkey to look like. And Turks look just like how I would imagine Turks to look like, now I know this might all see semi-obvious, but I found it pretty extaordinary as I meandered this morning. Imagine old women, wearing a "Grandma Stamper dress" except also with random, unmatched headscarves. Thats what Turkish women look like, or atleast Cypriot Turkish women. I went into this one mosque that used to be a cathedral, and thus was the funniest looking mosque I ever saw. Turkish Cyprus felt so relaxed and easy going compared to both greek cyprus and peaceful haven that is Egypt. And tonight, I leave for Tel Aviv... so I have to figure out right now how to get to the airport from my hostel because they aren't tons of cabs around. Also, I have lots of pics that will show you what Turkish Cyprus looks like much better than Ican describe it in words BUT this computer is really old and I cant find a USB thingy to plug my camera into... hopefully I will get some posted SOON! Thats all for now my friends. Talk to you in Israel!!!! luv, <>Laura p.s.-they are playing The Prince of Egypt on a tv here at the internet cafe...

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