A group of regular Strollers and newcomers kicked off the 21st season of activities at Almyrolivado on 5 October, blending smoothly, with high spirits and lots of humour. Compliments to Elena, Anna and Petros for the photos. Missed this one? There’s another 11 outings coming up. Join us on 13 Oct, here https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/platres-two-waterfalls-myllomeris-and-caledonian-two-trails-13-oct/
Victor is a dear friend and a wonderful member of The Cyprus Strollers. He is involved in the organization of a 3-day series of events, taking place in the suburb of Kaimakli from 20 to 20 September (https://pame-kaimakli.org/). He asked me to spread the message, and even though I don’t engage in promoting similar requests from other members, I am making this exception. Here’s why.
Like many people, I ‘always’ thought that one’s country is the country one has been born in. Until, living in Athens, I met Nigel; another dear friend, and fellow hiker. Nigel was living in Greece for many years, and had led many hikes for us. We thought of him as an Englishman. One day he took us to Lavrion, a location over one hour’s drive from Athens. The route we followed passed from an ancient silver mine, which had been half-restored as an archaeological site. While walking, Nigel told us in a passionate, detailed description the story of one Persian War, in which the Athenians (led by Themistocles) used the silver they were excavating from Lavrion, to finance the construction of the fleet that proved instrumental in winning the battle (Salamis, 480 BC). It was on that day that I experienced a paradigm shift, because I realized that Nigel was more Greek than persons born in Greece.
Victor is a Cypriot resident of Kaimakli, more Kaimakliotis than persons born in Kaimakli, and I urge every reader to attend this festival.
The above train of thinking is additionally relevant, in light of the reality facing Cyprus and Europe with immigrants we continue to fail to view with all our sympathy.
In 2024 the Cyprus Strollers are celebrating 10 years of weekly activity in Cyprus society. The distinguishing characteristic of the Cyprus Strollers is to combine hiking with communication, wit, humour, culture, caring; things that stimulate and nourish the soul and brain of each participant; with the intention that at the conclusion of the day every participant returns to base having 1st released the steam accumulated during the routine of the week just ended, and 2nd garnered sufficient stamina to help make it during the routine of the week coming.
To achieve it, we gather around the lunch table after hiking, where we talk in a more relaxed fashion. Our lunch conversations cover themes stemming from our collective interests, and many participants enjoy standing up and contributing their thoughts, ideas or simply impressions from the day. So much so that one can claim our lunches offer the rewards characteristic of a symposium.
The Cyprus Strollers is the only truly international club practicing hiking. Time and again, we have counted over 10 nationalities on a single walk. The significance of this is that it helps turn your activity into an experience far from the ordinary in your weekly routine. You meet and communicate with people from different backgrounds, and that’s broadening horizons.
In the 20 seasons, we have cumulatively walked more than 3100 km, over 990 hours. In terms of distance, 3100 km is equivalent to walking from Nicosia to Paphos and back 11 times. Thank you to every member for your contributions!
We resume hiking on 5 October. Download the Activities Schedule here https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-schedule/. For each Activity read, download and print a complete set of instructions here https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/.
In dire times such as these, people can find solace in a visit to forests, as a fresh report on Euronews explains (click on link above to read); join the Cyprus Strollers, the club that offers a hike every weekend, from 5 October onwards, to double your benefit.
The following passage is from the British Guardian newspaper of 17 June: “Concern has mounted that foreign visitors to Greece are not being properly informed of the risks posed by overexertion in high temperatures. The Mediterranean country is on the frontline of the climate emergency. In the space of nine days, six holidaymakers, including the British TV presenter and nutritionist Michael Mosley (he was discovered dead on 9 June in Symi), have either been found dead or gone missing on Greek islands. It is believed that all set out on hikes in unusually high temperatures.”
The news is sad. Also, this news should serve as a reminder to people who are lured by ‘passionate’ individuals, who defy extreme weather and invite you for hikes in the middle of the summer in Cyprus. It is wiser to apply prudency in such matters. This Club resumes hiking on Saturday 5 October.
Photos of gifts, toasts, speeches
The distinctive and inimitable character of The Cyprus Strollers drew a very large gathering of diners in Kakopetria on 2 June, for the Club’s celebration of 10 years of weekly activities in Cyprus society. A highly emotional experience for Xenophon! I express my gratitude to everybody (present were members from all age groups, from a record 15 nationalities and 3 continents) for contributing to create our unique culture of “Hiking made Pleasant”! Compliments to Sonia, Nicoletta, Anna, Maria and Petros for the photos.
The sun had covered the entire sky, not one brushstroke of cloud, and temperatures approaching 30 C, created the frame of our ultimate hike of the Club’s 20th season on 2 June at Platania. We took a taste of climate deterioration, and adapted by taking frequent short stops at every tree shade. Participating Stollers were marvelous in completing the hike without complaining. Thank you all! Present were members from all age groups, from a record 15 nationalities and 3 continents. Compliments to Nicoletta, Anna, Maria and Petros for the photos.
A wonderful gathering of Strollers hiked, mostly under the clouds, at Atalanti on 25 May and shared a day full of witty and humorous exchanges, in a positive and tolerant mood; just like everyone’s idea of a perfect family. Compliments to Martin for leading the activity, and to Victor, Maria and Anna for the photos. Join us next for the celebration of the Club’s 10 years on the ultimate hike of this season https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/platania-agios-nicolaos-10-years-celebration-2-june/
A lively gathering of Strollers enjoyed the 2 hikes at Kampos Livadiou on 19 May. The collective experience was built from an array of views, exchanges, impressions and effort; so much so, that looking back at the day, one feels that everybody and everything contributed to create a whole, which is larger than the sum of its parts. Compliments to Elena and Petros for the photos. Join us for the penultimate season activity here https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/troodos-atalanti-circle-25-may/. And don’t miss the gifts and surprises on 2 June, for the celebration of the Club’s 10 years https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/platania-agios-nicolaos-10-years-celebration-2-june/.
The Cyprus Strollers 