Deadly Dull Nicosia | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Deadly Dull Nicosia | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robert Rutaagi
05/16/17
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Deadly Dull Nicosia

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are landing at Larnaca International Airport, in Cyprus. Fasten your belts…ready for landing”, announced the air hostess of British Caledonia airline. This was my maiden international travel which I had enjoyed. After going through the usual immigration and customs formalities, I picked a taxi and checked in Nicosia Palace Hotel which would be my home for the next nine months.

The taxi driver did not speak English so I depended on some sign language and showing him papers I carried. Bella, the Hotel receptionist, knew very few English words but the rest of the staff did not. Every literature, in the room and restaurant, was in Greek. “How shall I cope in this little island country?”, I asked myself.

Two days later, I reported at the Mediterranean Institute of Management [MIM] for registration for my post graduate programme. I was relieved when I found that most lecturers and staff could speak good English especially the moment they realized I was not Greek.
The following day, the class started. All the students were Cypriots except Ghanam from Syria, Skodis from Greece and myself. The academic programme, by design, was conducted in English. The majority [about 90%] knew and spoke elementary English while a minority [10%], who had studied in UK and America spoke excellent English.

Before, during and after lectures, my classmates and lecturers would temptably plunge into speaking Greek language by asking questions and debating only in that language. This would go on repeatedly for nine months. Ghanam and I would look at each other and wonder whether we had made the right choice to join this Institute.

Once in a while a student or lecturer would sympathise with us and trigger the debate back into English but briefly because another student who would fail to express him or herself well in English would resort to Greek and soon everyone would join in.

For me and Ghannam, teaching and learning became an enigma. We approached the lecturers who promised to help but the help only remained at the level of good intentions. We gave up and hoped for the best.

I was a state fellow jointly sponsored by Rotary International, Cyprus Government and ILO. Being a state fellow scholar entitled me to free parties, at least, twice a week. Every guest and host was always accompanied by a spouse. Couples danced together from beginning to end. I started loathing parties and dodging some. But I was advised that attending parties was part of sponsorship which was subject to reporting and accountability.

After weighing all options available, I decided to count my blessings, embrace the situation as a man, study hard and bear the deadly dull Nicosia.

Something more happened. Loneliness came at the hills of dullness. All my life, I worried and wondered about how men decided to mortgage their liberties into risks of marriage. One morning, I woke up totally transformed and ready to marry someone. But I was in Nicosia, many miles away from home where my suitors were supposed to be.

By the time I finished my course, the need and desire to get married had intensified. I decided to concentrate all my energies on my studies. When results came, I was second best with a prestigious award. I returned home, found a suitor and got married. I thanked and I continue to thank God in all circumstances. 1Thes.5:18

NON-FICTION

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