There is no time in Cyprus when we are without flowers but spring does bring an exuberance. The beautifully scented orange blossoms are disappearing but the poppies, like these on our walk back from Saturday market are suddenly showing up everywhere.
Debate going on in the TRNC legislature over changes in the legislation regarding gambling. In particular the government is proposing to allow Turkish Cypriots to enter the North’s thirty odd casinos, which have so far been open only to those who do not hold a TRNC identity card, most obviously tourists, visitors from Türkiye, and those who have driven up from the South. Objections from the opposition seemingly mainly on the grounds that casinos divert money from the pockets of the country’s people in times of economic difficulty. Mixed feelings on this one. The opposition’s reservations are probably justified but to what extent should people be required to operate in their own best interests? Should it extend to what they eat? Or smoke? Or drink?