Odiley FESTUS      

On the first realization that you are going to school in a Moslem populated environment can be really scaring for you, if you have never lived within them but the fear of the unknown always scares everyone; doesn't it?

  I recalled the first time my cousin told me about Eastern Mediterranean University   in North Cyprus, I asked him "Where on earth is Cyprus?" Looking back at that time I can only laugh and wonder how many are still in my yesterdays shoe obviously ignorant of the unqualified treasures North Cyprus holds for the serious minded students.

  Why does everyone see only the green line and not concentrate on what we have here in North Cyprus? I come from a country which is very rich with resources but everyone seems to be in a big hurry and no one has the time to appreciate the nature.

  My friends, the Turkish Cypriots, say they don't understand English  but they use the word "MY FRIEND" always in any statement they say to you. I can not help but wonder “Do these guys know what they say when they say ‘MY FRIEND’?” I  think they do but I come from a place where we say my friend my best friend and the next moment we fight over non issues.

  A further proof of this was an incident which was related to me by a friend of mine. He was in Ankara and he missed the flight to Cyprus, he was assisted by a good natured Turk who could only say “my friend”.

  Another incident that I witnessed was not too pleasant scene between two Africans and some Turks. The Turks apparently were drunk and looking for trouble. They  called the  Africans by an insulting word, which led to the Africans to reply back resulting to  a tense atmosphere. The fight seemed inevitable until a middle aged Cypriot charged out of his shop and defended  the African students abusing the drunk Turkish youngsters who were ashamed and left the scene hurriedly. When the students who were defended went to express thanks, all they heard from his response was "No PROBLEM MY FRIEND".

  Surprisingly some of my friends have been to London for Summer holidays and decided that north Cyprus is more hospitable than you can actually believe it to be. For the warmness associated to the small paradise can not be found on the streets of London despite all the ambience and popularity ascribed to the place.

   You can see it in the smile of the old lady you meet on the street once you can mutter a few Turkish words of greetings or from the brave little Cypriot kids  who walks to you in public and mutter "How are you?" Or the taxi driver that gives you a free ride every now and then. I think it is in their very nature to be friendly and they are not even aware of it because they are used to it.

  It is their way of life and I shudder at the thought that they were once about to be annihilated by their insensitive brothers or sisters just because they serve another God or speak another language.

  As a Christian and a believer of religious freedom I believe people should be free to serve who they want and allow others to do as they wish.

   Finally the question I have is for you, yes you the reader, “are you on of those who say people are not friendly”? Are you one of those who doesn't smile and expect to be smiled at? Are you one of those who don't understand Turkish and don't even bother to learn the basics of the language?

   Well only you can answer these questions and to a large degree determine your friendliness and this is a key factor to determine how successful you will be with people, as a challenge try to be more friendly and see if doors of opportunity will not open to you here in North Cyprus for I believe opportunities abound everywhere. It is only for you to discover them.

As we march into 2008, people are making New Year resolutions; positive ones and I hope we all will try to be a bit more friendlier than we were last year, as it is one very important criterion for good relationships between people everywhere.