Should have been dental appointments this morning, but clearly that was in a different universe. Do phone Fehmi and his wife Filiz early. Not as easy as it sounds. South Cyprus is pleased to make communication with the North as difficult as possible. So telephoning from South to North only (expensively) possible via Turkey. In North Nicosia contact can’t be prevented, but that’s as far as it goes. The problem is purely political - we’re within 10 km of the border. And it’s is a pity, because there are still quite a few euros left on a Cypriot sim that expires some time late this month. Both mobiles currently have UK sims with approximately £4 and £10, but that would disappear pretty rapidly if, as the pop-up message cheerfully informed us after welcoming us to Turkey, calls are charged at £1.40 a minute.
So use Fongo, a VOIP app, in conjunction with a Canadian VPN. Connection not the best, but it works. Dental office, obviously closed until March 27, and then, as Filiz says, who knows what will be announced. They do give us a number to call for official health advice, but Fongo refuses to do its connecting magic again. Not actually in need of health advice but looks like we are supposed to notify authorities we are here.
Download Duolingo app to learn a little more than current half dozen words of Turkish. Should at least be able to remember how to say thank you. Do have English/Turkish Turkish/English dictionary that, happily, works offline. Google translate too for all its sins, which are many, does not badly with two or three word phrases, and furthermore is willing to pronounce them sotto voce. My email program always heads the list of the day’s emails with one advertising message. Have noticed that this is sometimes now in Turkish in acknowledgment of our location, admitting its status as reklam (advertisement). A word I recognise because of its similarity to the Polish word reklama, which announces Polish tv advertising. The Turkish for mobile phone also has a slightly Polish sound to it as well - cep telefonu. Literally pocket telephone.
Have for several years used UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office info re travel advisories. Would like it to be otherwise, but individual country advice much more specific and much more frequently updated. Can now get immediate emails when Cyprus situation changes, medically or legally. Not always welcome info to wake up to - e.g. all hotels closing - but infinitely more useful than merely being told Cyprus usually safe but avoid all non-essential travel everywhere. Today’s FCO offering:
...the [South Cyprus] government declared a state of emergency and announced additional restrictions. As from 18:00 on 16 March, any arriving passengers must present a medical certificate issued within the past four days to show they have tested negative for COVID-19. They must enter 14 days quarantine in state facilities. These restrictions are in force until 30 April.
So that is rather unequivocal.
So use Fongo, a VOIP app, in conjunction with a Canadian VPN. Connection not the best, but it works. Dental office, obviously closed until March 27, and then, as Filiz says, who knows what will be announced. They do give us a number to call for official health advice, but Fongo refuses to do its connecting magic again. Not actually in need of health advice but looks like we are supposed to notify authorities we are here.
Download Duolingo app to learn a little more than current half dozen words of Turkish. Should at least be able to remember how to say thank you. Do have English/Turkish Turkish/English dictionary that, happily, works offline. Google translate too for all its sins, which are many, does not badly with two or three word phrases, and furthermore is willing to pronounce them sotto voce. My email program always heads the list of the day’s emails with one advertising message. Have noticed that this is sometimes now in Turkish in acknowledgment of our location, admitting its status as reklam (advertisement). A word I recognise because of its similarity to the Polish word reklama, which announces Polish tv advertising. The Turkish for mobile phone also has a slightly Polish sound to it as well - cep telefonu. Literally pocket telephone.
Have for several years used UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office info re travel advisories. Would like it to be otherwise, but individual country advice much more specific and much more frequently updated. Can now get immediate emails when Cyprus situation changes, medically or legally. Not always welcome info to wake up to - e.g. all hotels closing - but infinitely more useful than merely being told Cyprus usually safe but avoid all non-essential travel everywhere. Today’s FCO offering:
...the [South Cyprus] government declared a state of emergency and announced additional restrictions. As from 18:00 on 16 March, any arriving passengers must present a medical certificate issued within the past four days to show they have tested negative for COVID-19. They must enter 14 days quarantine in state facilities. These restrictions are in force until 30 April.
So that is rather unequivocal.
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