Cypriots are as warm as the weather

When I first moved to Cyprus 10 years ago, I was fascinated by characteristic Mediterranean villas peppering the hillside. Coming from a world of burglar alarms and double checked padlocks every night, I could not imagine people feeling safe so far from habitation. I asked a local at the first opportunity. She looked thoroughly confused," you mean safe from Ghosts?" It was my turn to be aghast.

Ideas of break-ins and robberies did not even occur to these people. Sounded almost impossible that a place could be so well sanitized that even baser human instincts had not found a breeding ground. This was the country I wanted to live in, where I would like my children to grow up. Life has changed a lot since then, but Cyprus has not disappointed me once. It has become faster paced, more modern, more European but you still get the feeling of warmth and security wherever you go.

I think the difference is that Cypriots welcome change, are even eager for it but are happy to let things happen siga- siga, slowly slowly.There is a very special quality about life in Cyprus. It offers you options. You never get the feeling that life has pushed you at the deep end and you have to swim, no matter what. If you would much rather sit on the side and watch others, the option is there. Or if maybe you would like to choose your pace, your style, your partners, your depth, you could do that too. This freedom of choice keeps life from becoming an oppressive grind.

Tourist brochures talk about pristine beaches, nature trails, gorgeous weather, churches and monasteries, traditional feasts, which is all very well. But I think people should come here to learn from people how to live life, how to rearrange your priorities, how not to let the rat race suck you in and how not to become so blind that you trip the others in your obsession to win. Sometimes going forward means going back a little bit when the world was a less mad place.

Does not mean Cyprus has not progressed. It is evident in a lot more ways than the completely changed skyline. Computerised work places, most sophisticated medical facities, availability of all the best brands in the world, esoteric restaurants, well developed hospitality industry, it is all there. But in exchange, it has not sold its soul to the devil.It still has a pulsating heart and a vibrant spirit.