Heading home at half-past four, it was evident that there was a fire somewhere as I heard fire engines and saw plumes of smoke in the distance. I rarely watch Cypriot news these days, but it was the only way of finding out more information about what was happening. Some news reporters chose to fan the flames with panic which gave me a headache after an hour as the sky turned dark with smoke, raining ash into the garden, the sun a scorching red disc in the sky. It was an apocalyptic scene and the stench of burning lingered in every room in the house until morning.
I scanned my travel book on Cyprus, looking for the area and villages affected, a shape which almost resembled a human heart. Like many I felt saddened, frustrated and disillusioned and the next morning everyone was counting the costs of this disaster. Houses destroyed and burnt to the ground, animals burnt to death, the earth so bountiful and fruitful charred into nothing.
Some blame the authorities who were not swift enough to respond, some blame firefighters who it is reported refused the pleas of residents and business owners to put out certain fires. Foreign aid arrived but somewhat delayed. What particularly baffled me was why we had to rely on Israeli planes to fly at night because our own aircraft couldn't. Surely the government should have invested in nighttime fire-fighting aircraft.
Cypriot kindheartedness and generosity however were quick to respond. Everyone as I know is pitching in. From water and food to clothes and free accommodation. Empathy. Generosity. Warm hearts. That is what we Cypriots are truly made of. That is what makes us when everything else is lost and that is what we should all hold unto.
It will take a long time to recover this loss, to rejuvenate the charred earth and restore it, but it will be done with passion and perseverance but also valuable lessons learnt.
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