I am now in possession of a booklet which states that I am a Cypriot Alien. Move over ET! That word seems so foreign to our usual vocabulary in Canada apart from the movie scene of some years ago. I have not fully come to a conclusion as to whether it is positive or negative in its connotations. But suffice it to say, this is a step beyond being a tourist. Arriving in Cyprus, one is permitted to be a tourist for a period of three months and then must either leave the island or make some other arrangements.
Our applications have been processed and now we have this new designation which must be shown whenever authorities ask to see our passports - so, something additional to carry around. In actual fact, it merely contains the place where we live, along with some official stamps and one of those small pictures which everyone likes to hide from the gaze of others! Two official looking stamps cover the corners of my picture showing that the named individual and the picture have passed offical muster!
But as I have reflected on that word a little, I note that it is used in the Tanack (our Older Testament) but rarely in the Apostolic Writings. Hmmm.... In the early books of the Scriptures we find it used in the context of Abraham being called out from his land to another that the Lord will show him and he is an alien in that land. Certainly there are references to him in this context but the vast majority of referencces are to those who become part of Israelite life either as slaves, or happen to be in their country during feast times. It is interesting to note that in the Jewish society developed under the Mosaic law, aliens were to be treated in a very fair manner and had rights which equalled those of an Israelite.
I wonder whether I would be afforded the same rights here as a Cypriot? I know that at school I am often asked to sign documents which are written in Greek and I have to depend on the honesty of staff in asking for my signature! One can only dream of the possibile outcomes in such cases!
This has been another week which has flown past due to the constant demands on my time for decisions ranging from suspension threats to get students’ attention that their behaviour is unacceptable, to questions as to whether we will have November 13 as a holiday because it is considered a school holiday here in Cyprus as it is the Archbishop’s name day. I do some research and find that this day occured on a weekend last year and so that is why it did not appear on the calendar of special days for the year. What should I decide? On the one hand, due to external exams which tend to rob us of many school days later in the year, so each day of learning is critical, I should have it as a school day. On the other hand, I am the new kid on the block here at the Academy and since this is the way it has been done every other year, it makes me feel I would incur resentment with the former option. I will decide over the weekend and announce my decision on Monday! Guess what it will be!
The rains have come to Cyprus a whole month early this year. Generally they are not expected until late in November. But October was the wettest such month since 1901! So, one has to begin wondering why the change. Speaking of the weather, this weekend,there was the possibility of snow up in the Troodos mountains which we can see out our flat window to the west. Interesting times! Isn’t it comforting to know that our Lord holds the seasons, our time and the whole universe in his precise control? Even the smallest deviation of some distant star or galaxie would mean devastation for us here on earth. Another reason to follow the Scriptural admonition and always give thanks!
David
posted by David & Marian Sloss @ 10:21 AM
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