I sat in the same place again (it may be growing on me!), right outside my dorm. Something I noticed was the wind, which is warmer than the wind from where I lived in San Diego. I’m at the same distance from the ocean, and I wonder if the mountains (or lack thereof) have anything to do with it!

Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate with arid summers and a mild, rainy winter. According to my tour guide, summer is the best time to swim, and winter is the best time to hike and take in the sights!

The average temperature is about 85-95F as we creep into fall, with local Cypriots telling us anything less than 80F is considered winter (I will not miss Wellesley’s winter)! Outside the winter months, there is little to no rain, and it’s bright and sunny all year round. This means that plants have to be pretty hardy to survive; they have to endure long months without water, combined with lots of sunlight. Some of Cyprus’ famous crops are pomegranates, olives, grapes, and cypress trees.

There’s one crop that has a very interesting history in Cyprus: the carob tree! This tree/shrub is a member of the legume family (lentils, peas, soybeans, etc.) and is cherished by Cypriots for its medicinal properties and yummy, sweet flavor that can be drizzled on anything. During the summer, the tree produces long green beans that eventually dry and turn brown. Before they fully harden, the beans are harvested for their sweet syrup which is said to have many medicinal properties, such as treatment for arthritis and a digestion aid. The tree has been a staple of Cyprus for thousands of years, and its beans were even used to measure gold!!

All in all, the climate in Cyprus may not be for everyone, but the variety and history of the plants is something to marvel at!