When I look back on my life at the top 5 betrayals I’ve ever experienced, few compare to what I’m about to say. There is a salt lake here that has a sign of promising flamingos. My favorite animal. When I saw that sign on my first day here in Cyprus, I stopped breathing and almost passed out in the car from the immeasurable elation I felt. All I could think about was seeing flamingos at the salt lake. However, I grew suspicious when I looked closer at the lake. It was dried up. Interesting. I don’t know of many flamingos that enjoy standing in a dried-up up salt lake, but I pushed my suspicions aside and basked in my growing excitement of seeing flamingos. Two weeks and zero flamingos later, I knew something wasn’t right. Despite being swamped with extremely critical, time-sensitive pottery washing, I decided to delve into deep research about the flamingos in Cyprus. And that’s when I saw it. November through March. November through March. November through March. Just typing those months fills me with dread. I bought flamingo merchandise (see below). I brought pink sunglasses from home. I got a flamingo tattoo. I always advocate for flamingos to be the best animal to ever exist. Yet, they refuse to make an appearance while I’m here. This is the ultimate betrayal. Regardless, I suppose I can still maintain some level of fondness for the Phoenicopterus ruber. 

-Olivia R.