For all my fellow vegans out there, let me tell you that you will not go hungry in Cyprus! There are incredibly fresh fruits and veggies, falafel galore, a delicious selection of nuts, and pita bread, pita bread, pita bread. These tasty flat breads can be found in every market and stuffed with just about anything you desire, and you have options when it comes to the kind of pita you are looking for. While sharing a common name, Cypriot pita differs from both Greek and Lebanese pita, and it is no surprise with a 4,000-year-old history in the Mediterranean that this delicious dough has taken a unique shape depending on its geographical location. Being closest together on a map has also resulted in Lebanese and Cypriot pita being more similar than Greek pitas. Cypriot pita, like Lebanese pita, is thin and oval in shape compared to Greek pita which is thicker and circular. Unlike Greek pita which is rolled, Cypriot pitas are stuffed with food, and while Greek pita is usually grilled, Cypriot pita is baked. A vegan Cypriot meal that I have found to be very common, tasty and often very cheap is a falafel pita. Served in the Cypriot fashion it is stuffed with fresh tomato, cucumber, parsley and if you are lucky hummus or the most delicious tahini I have ever had. Pita bread is an obvious staple of the Mediterranean and I think I have eaten it nearly every day on Cyprus so far. I have found it great for a snack with olive paste, or heated in a toaster, on the dig site with some sliced peppers, or even (for an American twist) with some PB&J. Eat it while you’re here and eat it quick! While it is a delicious and easy treat, make sure to either be ready to eat a lot or share with a friend because they do mold with absurd speed! The humidity of the ocean takes its toll on any bread, but I have found pita to be particularly sensitive and best enjoyed fresh. I hope your time in Cyprus is filled with amazing flavors, tastes and experiences, and from one vegan to another, you will definitely find plenty to eat.

-Grace Simonsen