“Nicosia” (also known as “Lefkosa”) is more or less in the center of the island of Cyprus.  The city (like the rest of the island) is split into two parts, the Southern Greek Cypriots refer to it as “Nicosia”  while the Northern Turkish Cypriots call the city “Lefkosa”.   A passport is needed to cross the boarder into the other side of the city, just as it is to visit the other side of the island.  I decided to just tour the south-side, where I walked along the ancient Venetian fortified wall. I also wound my way through the labyrinthine streets, which seemed to be mostly full of restaurants and shops of one kind or another.  As I was taking pictures of a shop window that was devoted to lacework (one of the specialities of the island), I got to chatting with the shop owner, who had made the work herself.  She was originally from England, but had lived in Cyprus much of her life.  Her shop also sold silver jewelry and religious icons (two other notable specialties of the island).  

Chrystyna Banks