John francis: A Mt. Troodos Camping Trip

Before I came to Cyprus, I wasn’t much of an outdoor person. After living in Cyprus for four months, I felt like I was living and breathing like a true adventurous spirit.

For those that do not know, Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea that consists of beautiful beaches, historical artifacts, and breathtaking mountain ranges.

A group of students studying abroad and I took a weekend excursion to the Mt. Troodos mountain range, which is known for its exotic wildlife, colorful agriculture, and its hiking trails/campsites. After climbing to our site on a late Friday night, in practically the pitch-black, we set up camp. We were using our cell phones to see and yet we were still surrounded by darkness. As soon as we made it safely, we went ahead and set up the cooking station, our tents, and the hiking gear needed for the next morning.

It was amazing to fellowship with some relatively new people that I had only just met and be surrounded by millions of stars and nature.

The next morning, after enjoying a larger than life sunrise, we took off. We were hitting multiple trails, going into local Cypriot mountain villages, enjoying a coffee with some of the locals, and driving all throughout the mountain.

I will never forget that trip because it was really my first official time camping with legit equipment and the same thing goes for hiking. Since then, my desire to explore nature has increased and I am excited to continue exploring everything this world holds.