Our lives only or is there a dark comedy aspect to everyone’s script? Phone call at breakfast from the nice lady with whom we have been corresponding at the Canadian Honorary Consulate in Nicosia. Clear from the beginning that as well as touching base she is eager to get off the phone.
I, however, slowly waking up and asking questions re border crossing. NL points out that I can ask these questions in an email. True, and I am too polite to say that she has not been particularly good at reading previous emails, to the point at which I have wondered whether her written English is not as fluent as it might be. Though some of it may be down to excessive Greek politeness. So, more than one email from her has begun with “we are glad that you are well”. And indeed we are well, but it seems odd that she should comment when we have not expressly said that we were all right. But have observed that the Turkish are even more effusive. No doubt many in the eastern Mediterranean consider all Anglos blunt to the point of rudeness.
I’m not reluctant to ask questions by email. They just never seem to quite get answered. But we soon get to the point of NL’s wish to end the call as she says that she has to go as she is using her own personal mobile. What she doesn’t say is that she is making a long distance call to a Turkish number, which is expensive. And unnecessarily expensive as the actual distance between us is a little more than 30 miles - much less than the distance across London. The expense is not NL’s fault of course. But it is down to the Cypriot Republic’s refusal to make communication easy. So why on earth did she phone instead of emailing? Can only guess that she has end of month reports to fill out - emails sent, phone calls made, etc - and the phone call section looking a little thin. But surely they give her a budget?
And so I do email and ask my questions. If we cross the border with consular assistance do we require a PCR test? If we have a negative test can we stay in the South and make our flight reservations from there? And, somewhat wickedly, can resist adding that unfortunately the simplest solution for us would be to fly home from the North, though after twenty years of visiting the Republic we would not like to create difficulties.
Takes only a matter of hours to receive an answer. Blood test required. All booking must be done and registered before consular assistance in crossing (and within 72 hours of negative test results, which may not be provided on the day of testing and can only be obtained from a hospital 30 miles away). After crossing required to go straight to airport. NL does sound slightly sympathetic, though. Says she can understand if we prefer to wait as border crossing requirements change daily.
Not surprisingly, no reference to implied threat re flying from North. And none expected. But barely possible that some hint may filter through to those in power in the Republic that difficulties at the border discourage tourists as well as attempting to intimidate officialdom in the North.
I, however, slowly waking up and asking questions re border crossing. NL points out that I can ask these questions in an email. True, and I am too polite to say that she has not been particularly good at reading previous emails, to the point at which I have wondered whether her written English is not as fluent as it might be. Though some of it may be down to excessive Greek politeness. So, more than one email from her has begun with “we are glad that you are well”. And indeed we are well, but it seems odd that she should comment when we have not expressly said that we were all right. But have observed that the Turkish are even more effusive. No doubt many in the eastern Mediterranean consider all Anglos blunt to the point of rudeness.
I’m not reluctant to ask questions by email. They just never seem to quite get answered. But we soon get to the point of NL’s wish to end the call as she says that she has to go as she is using her own personal mobile. What she doesn’t say is that she is making a long distance call to a Turkish number, which is expensive. And unnecessarily expensive as the actual distance between us is a little more than 30 miles - much less than the distance across London. The expense is not NL’s fault of course. But it is down to the Cypriot Republic’s refusal to make communication easy. So why on earth did she phone instead of emailing? Can only guess that she has end of month reports to fill out - emails sent, phone calls made, etc - and the phone call section looking a little thin. But surely they give her a budget?
And so I do email and ask my questions. If we cross the border with consular assistance do we require a PCR test? If we have a negative test can we stay in the South and make our flight reservations from there? And, somewhat wickedly, can resist adding that unfortunately the simplest solution for us would be to fly home from the North, though after twenty years of visiting the Republic we would not like to create difficulties.
Takes only a matter of hours to receive an answer. Blood test required. All booking must be done and registered before consular assistance in crossing (and within 72 hours of negative test results, which may not be provided on the day of testing and can only be obtained from a hospital 30 miles away). After crossing required to go straight to airport. NL does sound slightly sympathetic, though. Says she can understand if we prefer to wait as border crossing requirements change daily.
Not surprisingly, no reference to implied threat re flying from North. And none expected. But barely possible that some hint may filter through to those in power in the Republic that difficulties at the border discourage tourists as well as attempting to intimidate officialdom in the North.
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