Clarios had only lovers – 27 Oct.

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The day was absolutely clear, befitting the large gathering of Strollers, regulars and newcomers that hiked on the banks of river Clarios at Agios Nicolaos near Kakopetria. The murmur of water was a worthy reward for all the climbing effort preceded, and the rough terrain. Compliments to Petros and Anna for the photos. Missed this one? There are another 8 activities coming up. Join us next here https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/selladi-karamanli-pezounokremos-circle-and-selladi-polystypos-linear-2-nov/

Hiking + Live music – Prodromos 19 Oct.

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A pleasant surprise welcomed diners at our restaurant following the hike at Zoumi-Stavroulia on 19 Oct.; live music, with singing, from a duet, which led some of us to the dancing floor! Compliments to Elena, Anna, Mae, Nicos and Petros for the photos. Missed this double pleasure? There are another 9 events coming up. Join us next here https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/kakopetria-agios-nicolaos-clarios-27-oct/

1 Year of Atrocities in the Middle East

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This Club is, of course, non-political. It has, at times, welcomed Palestinian Strollers, as well as Israelis, with the same warm heart. Perhaps because of that, we are making an exception today, to lament the start of Year 2 of a war that does not end, continuing to spread death and disaster. Read the poem that follows, and the note at the end.   

“If I Must Die” by Refaat Alareer (written originally in English)

If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze—
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself—
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love.

If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale.

Palestinian writer and professor of world literature and creative writing at the Islamic University of Gaza Refaat Alareer (1979–2023) was killed in an airstrike by the Israeli military December 6, 2023 along with his brother, his brother’s son, his sister and her three children.

Polychromatic experience – Waterfalls – 13 Oct.

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The experience of the colours of the rainbow in the sky is ordinary. The view of the colours of the rainbow coming from the waterfall at Platres was on 13 Oct. a sight to relish, among all Strollers. Verses from the ‘What a Wonderful World’ song by Louis Armstrong came to our lips: “The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky, are also on the faces, of people going by; I see friends shaking hands, saying, “How do you do?”, they’re really saying, I love you”. It turned out that on the day this club was polychromatic, in more ways than the usual of hosting many nationalities. Compliments to Gunnar for his leadership and Nicos for the photos. Missed this one? There’s another 10 outings coming up. Join us on 19 Oct, here https://cyprus-strollers.org/activities-description/prodromos-zoumi-stavroulia-19-oct/

Cheerful start Season 21 – Almyrolivado 5 Oct.

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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 of Kaimakli

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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.    

10 Years Hiking made Pleasant

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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/.

Forest bathing: A solution to sticky summers

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https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/07/22/forest-bathing-a-solution-to-sticky-summers-in-europes-cities?utm_source=Linkedin&utm_medium=Social

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 Perils of Hiking in High temperatures

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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.