DAY 52: Spotlight on Cyprus

If I had known that Cyprus would receive so much attention from the entire world, I would have worn my best clothes to work.  And so, after a unanimous (or so I’d like to think) decision to reject the bailout offer from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, Cyprus is back to square one, hoping for some genie to pop out of the lamp, and grant us three new wishes.

The atmosphere in the workplace continues on a peculiar and macabre path.  Unfortunately, my diet has joined forces with this depression, allowing me to binge extensively in front of the television; I’m beginning to feel the results as I attempt to buckle the belt around my waist.

There’s an influx of beggars knocking on our door; today’s ‘merchants’ presented a luscious home-grown selection of oranges and strawberries.  Judging from their accents, it was evident that they had arrived from Greece, searching for a better tomorrow.  Despite their cries of persuasion, we were compelled to ask them to leave, hoping to avoid the temptation of spending our limited funds unnecessarily.

Cyprus is under the spotlight, governing the media scene; it seems that the European Union has turned against us, and the thought of Cyprus seeking refuge from a power outside the union has infuriated the leaders. 

Our unfortunate demise is due to the inexperienced group of individuals who had the island under their wings for the last five years.  It appears that every president in Cyprus wants to be celebrated in the history books for solving the Cyprus problem; Cyprus has been a divided island since the unlawful invasion of Turkey in 1974.

Despite President Christofias’ unsuccessful attempts to reunite the island with the unrecognised “Northern Republic of Cyprus,” he did leave one legacy behind; a surcharge imposed on consumers following the explosion that damaged Cyprus’ main electricity plant, killing thirteen people in July 2011, and an island financially bankrupt, drowning after a tedious period of communist rule.

Prior to Christofias, numerous presidents appealed to the world, hoping to resolve the unfortunate division of the island.  Countless visits to the United States, meetings with world leaders – creating awareness to a problem as if Cyprus’ division was a marketing campaign; solutions seemed shelved for “another day, another time.”

The European Union emerged as a “knight in shining armour,” promising to stand by the tiny island of Cyprus, offering hope that their unification with other member states will inherit a ‘brotherly’ support.  Where are our brothers now?

But let’s not forget the natural gas bubbling under our waters. When the world realises Cyprus’ self-worth, all our prodigal brothers and sisters will return to sample a sip from our champagne.  Knowing the Cypriots, we’ll probably welcome them with open arms.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts.  For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online,
visit www.paul-lambis.com