This past week we took our last midterm of the program and
we’re officially 3/4ths of the way done with physics! It’s kind of amazing how
much physics I’ve managed to cram into my brain in the past month and a half.
It’s also unbelievable how much more physics I have to learn before our final
in a week and a half, but I’m remaining positive and stocking up on coffee.
We just got back from our last weekend excursion of the
program! This weekend we went to Limassol, Cyprus a metropolitan city on the
southern coast. A bus picked us all up in front of the apartments Friday
morning. The tour guide that took us through Nicosia during our orientation
came along with. Before arriving at Limassol we took two stops and our tour
guide explained the history of two historic landmarks.
The first stop we made was at Kolossi Castle. Kolossi Castle
is the most well preserved castle on the island and was used as a Crusader
stronghold. It was first constructed in the 13th century and
overlooks Kolossi village, a couple of miles outside of Limassol. The castle
looks like a tower, and the rooms inside are all identical to each other. After
exploring the castle we went to the rooftop to take pictures and take in the
view. 
After Kolossi Castle we went to Kourion, an ancient
city-kingdom, where we explored the architectural ruins of a Greco-Roman
theater. Kourion borders Kouris River and was the site of an ancient Greek
city-kingdom. The main attraction is a Greco-Roman theater that is still used
for live music and art performances today. Next to the amphitheater is a villa
housing mosaics similar to the House of Dionysus. The tour guide explained the
mythological significance of the scenes depicted in the mosaics.
Once
we finished touring Kourion the bus dropped us off at the Kapetanios Odyssia
hotel. We spent the weekend exploring Limassol and enjoying our last free
weekend. Limassol itself is mostly known for being a tourist area with
nightlife attraction. During the day on Saturday we went to the Limassol Pier and
walked along the boardwalk. Like the rest of Cypriot climate Limassol was
extremely hot and humid so we stopped at a Haagen-Daz shop to cool down and
have some ice cream and milkshakes. Afterwards we walked around the Old City
area of Limassol, which was very reminiscent of the Old City in Nicosia.
Limassol has a really broad range of Mediterranean restaurants
but after a month of gyros I was really craving pasta. My roommate and I went
to a TGI-Fridays right across the hotel for dinner. This weekend was kind of
bittersweet since it’s the last weekend we’ll all enjoy relaxing together. This
summer has gone by so fast and I already dreading having to say bye to
everyone, but I’m happy we still all have a week and a half left together.
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