Cyprus Immigration experience immigration life: "The Birth of Venus" is a masterpiece by Botticelli, depicting the goddess Venus emerging from the Aegean Sea, with the god of wind and the goddess of flowers welcoming her on either side. The beautiful legend surrounding the birth of the goddess of love, Aphrodite, on the island of Cyprus still deeply fascinates people today. For this reason, Cyprus has become the Island of Love.
Cyprus is a very beautiful island nation, a dazzling pearl embedded in the Mediterranean Sea. Located in the northeastern corner of the Mediterranean, south of the Anatolian Peninsula, bordering Turkey to the north, looking out to Syria in the east, and connecting to Egypt in the south, it is the third-largest island in the Mediterranean. Its location is situated exactly at the intersection of Eastern and Western civilizations—the "Fertile Crescent." Its unique geographical position has determined the important role it has played in world history. The invasions and occupations by various ethnic groups have also brought a variety of long-standing cultures, leaving Cyprus with a rich heritage.
For many Europeans, Cyprus is a vacation destination, equivalent to the Maldives of Europe. Here, there are 320-340 sunny days each year, with abundant sunshine, and fruits and vegetables are always in season. Over 3,000 years of foreign rule and merchants arriving from all over the world have brought different cooking techniques. After absorbing flavors from Greece, Turkey, Albania, Lebanon, Syria, Italy, France, the UK, and other places, the Cypriots have created their own unique culinary culture.
Restaurants in Cyprus offer a set dinner menu called MEZE, which includes 15-20 local traditional home-style delicacies, priced at only 120-150 RMB, making it an absolute paradise for food lovers.
The appetizer is the signature Cypriot salad, a combination of fresh vegetables including soft grilled goat cheese, onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. When eating, dip it in olive oil; the sweet, sour, and refreshing taste combined with the grilled meat in the set menu is the ultimate summer experience.
The set menus come in two types: meat and seafood. The meat set focuses on grilled sausages, lamb, and ribs. Greek grilled lamb is recognized worldwide as some of the best lamb; it has no gamey smell, is fresh, tender, and juicy. Drizzle with lemon juice and sprinkle with black pepper for a fragrant, non-greasy taste.
The seafood set includes dishes made from fish, shrimp, crab, squid, and other seafood. Fried squid rings and tentacles are one of the specialties of the set. The squid meat is plump and tender, chewy and savory, marinated with spices, coated in imported Greek flour, and deep-fried. Dipped in sweet and sour lemon juice, the fragrant aroma constantly teases the diner's appetite.
In addition, there is a village set menu based on fresh vegetables and olive oil, as well as mixed sets that fall between two or three of these categories.
When in Cyprus, the specialty snack you cannot miss is the cheese made from goat's milk. This cheese, grilled in a mesh utensil, comes in soft and hard varieties; it is quite salty but tastes surprisingly good. Friends who are not used to goat's milk can choose cheese made from sheep's milk or cow's milk, which can be found in small village shops.
Beyond the highlight of its cuisine, the cheerful, enthusiastic, bold, hospitable, and talkative nature of the locals is another highlight of this island nation in the Mediterranean.
Cyprus is mainly composed of two major ethnic groups, Greek and Turkish. The Greek Cypriots are Greek Orthodox (about 85%), while the Turkish Cypriots are Muslim. There are also minorities who follow Roman Catholicism, as well as small populations of Armenians, Maronites, and Latins.
Greek Cypriot residents still maintain traditions from the Byzantine period. The Archbishop of Cyprus still holds a scepter bestowed by the Byzantine Emperor, wears purple robes during ceremonies, and signs documents with red ink. Their lifestyle and psychological state are primarily European. Many customs in Cyprus are related to Christian traditions and religious rituals.
Cyprus is surrounded by the sea, and the indigo sky is always reflected in the boundless blue ocean. Tourists can be seen lazily sunbathing on lounge chairs and under umbrellas everywhere on the beach. Accompanied by adults, children paddle and play in the shallow bays; everything feels like a scene from a beautiful dream.
On the nearby coast, lush green trees can be seen everywhere, creating a romantic and pure atmosphere for this birthplace of Venus.
For tourists coming to Cyprus for a vacation, sailing out to sea is also an excellent experience that should not be missed. Only by being this close to the sea can one feel the uniqueness of Cyprus being surrounded by water. The ever-changing shades of blue are like fine brocade, shimmering and dazzling in the sunlight.
Every day in Cyprus is full of surprises and fascinating experiences. Perhaps the beauty and love that Venus bestowed upon humanity have long since merged into the vegetation, beaches, and bustling crowds here. The blue sea, lush mountains, fine white sand, and bright sunshine of this Island of Love always display her incomparable beauty to visiting tourists, just like the cruise ships docked at the pier, waiting for visitors who have come for her reputation.
