As I started working long time ago and worked whit students, i try to find my self and my mental space. I knew that one way to find what i search is in socializing whit people from the art world, but i did not know where is that place, place that would gather joint forces and energy and similar targets. Whit big support form my partner, who find the school for me, i went on the road of fulfillment. Never in my life i went somewhere alone, so i was full of fear.
My day of travel has come, so there was no room for fear and thinking.
I landed on Hermes airport, Larnaca at 11 am local time. Name of the airport sound it interesting, it sounded very elegant and high class. I claim my baggage, explain to customs why and where I am going. Of course my Bosnian passport always raises couple of eyebrows when I`m traveling to Greece so Cyprus was no exception. OK I`m going there, i will work on project and that was good for Cyprus custom officer. First stop Limasol, waiting on very high air temperature, 40 degrees Celsius and over. Excessive heat was passing throe my shoes. Switching BUS and I am on way to Pathos. I was exhausted, i could not walk i did not experience that kind of heat in my life. I arrived to Pathos, first Taxi and I am going to Lempa village. Everyone is curious, how come a Bosnian is here, me on the other side was confused: „The are driving on the right side, like in England“. I come to Lepma, place that i will call home for two weeks. One Canadian welcomes me, whit the attitude and posture of an actor.
„Hmm, are you lost?“
Oh no, just do not know where I sleep?
Oh OK, i will show you.
Everything around me is rustic, everything is at its place, but whit years on it don’t get me wrong it is beautifully.
I met the group very easy, as someone came i met him. Artist in residence comes up to me and says: „I’m Dona“, I answer: „No, I am not Dona, I am Sandra“. Hehehe, OK here comes my unused, but agglomerated English language.
Knowing the terrain is not easy, everything you do you do by walking, and for everything you need 20 minutes walking. Nothing scary, but do not forget the high temperature. Hours pass by very slow, you do not notice minutes.
I had a feeling, because i was in other time zone that time was stolen for me, that feeling was putting pressure on me. To start some creative process that will transform into art you have to have time. I had relatively little time because of the circumstances and because I was tired from traveling. In school you have the basic art supplies, everything extra you need is in town or nearby markets. 25. August had come very fast, on that day only four artist had stayed in Art School, others had to travel to Nicosia, to help whit the art exhibition. Day before the exhibition was passing slowly but it was very useful. We hang out, we get to know one another better, we talked about everything very honest. To tell you the truth I miss that kind of talk. Also I must say that all grills here whit me wore natural look, they were all beautifully. So many wardrobes styles, so many hairstyles and everything reminded me that they like Vivien Westwood. Everything was inspiring for me, the rustics in which i lived, bugs everywhere, giant ants, spiders, domestic snake grin emoticon. That the way the person comes in touch whit nature.
We did not have the TV, we did not need one. We were those who directed show, repeating movies, making movies.
In Nicosia, beautiful hostel waited at us. Before the hostel a visit to Museum of modern art. So Inspiring works, so beautiful, and also air condition grin emoticon. Nicosia is not at see, it is inland, to paint the picture more clearly i would compare it to capital of Montenegro, Podgorica + 15 degrees Celsius. We are all happy, ecstatic, socializing. Time is flaying, only tough about returning home, we would wish that teleportation is invented. Tomorrow we discover Turkish part of Cypress, we cross the border in city, border that is marked by potted plants, latter i found out it is called „Green Line“. We wondered throe streets, we come across mosque, which was church before. I come in for the fist time. Minimalism, grandeur and a carpet that is so soft. Everything is new for me. It is time to get back because some of our friends have forgot their passports and could not enter Turkish part of city. Then two hours drive to Pathos, and then like sardines we go into taxi oh that economy grin emoticon. Type of kinship and common interests which fill the heart. Beach.
Tomorrow is the day before i must go back to realty but not before my farewell evening. My throat ached at the thought, but the psychology of an adult says rationalize, although it is best to take time for sorrow i will live that part for home and return. We play party games, pantomime gets. Because of language barrier some tasks were though for me i got the assignment to tell everybody Astrological signs. Nothing easier for me, I even wanted to guess the DOB. We all go to sleep very late, i get up very early and go on my last walk in city, I go whit my friend, it is very peaceful. After that we go for a swim like a refreshment. On that they it was my turn to do the chores in residence. I did that, even happy because of direct, army-like assignments that we had. I go to a bus stop, say farewell to my two new close friends, holding the tears. On my way back I meet a Israeli guy how helps me whit language. He knows so much about 90’s and the war i had survived, interested in events that had happened and are happening because in that way we can maybe predict the future. I wait for my flight at 10 am, I sleep on airport, and everything is OK.
I did not know that i can do this, that is why i write like this and i feel strong. Painful landing in Belgrade, no more suppressing emotions. All the sorrow for leaving such a wonderfully place hit me like a train. I see my people at the exit gate, they are always there waiting for me, they take me from my world, leaving me whit the assignment to go back a find another worlds to explore.
The Stas Paraskos school in Cyprus College of Art Lemba 2015
![](https://sandramladjanovic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/DSC_0592-copy-830x556.jpg)