Uncharted Playground

Treehouses don't exist in Cyprus. I was convinced that this was the case and before that day, I had just a vague concept of what it felt to be near a treehouse. All I had were literary references and examples from movies I have watched as a child.

I hadn't travelled for a while and I was on the verge of booking the next available ticket for a random destination. Immediate action was required! My main travel substitute is to travel by proxy. I drive to the Larnaca airport and I spend my time observing the travelers and the passengers preparing to leave. They are just beginning their journey, while I am already at my travel destination. I observe their way of being, their attitude, the way they move and speak and I try to imagine their background story, their reasons for leaving, their destination and what they are looking for.

However, I had already spent the previous three Saturdays at the airport. This time I wanted to find an alternative remedy in my hometown, Limassol. While I was considering how I could incorporate a travel experience in the timeframe of a few hours, a question came up: "Can you manage to get lost in the very centre of the town you grew up?" A challenge! How can you get lost on purpose? I never get lost! Let's see... I drove to a neighborhood I was rather unfamiliar with. I got out of the car and I chose a random direction. This is how my hometown trip began. I walked down streets I was unaware they existed. I had been walking for a few hours, when I passed by the fence of a 20th century house. It was rather typical for the local architecture, nothing extraordinary about it... And then I saw something. Something? Is it really a treehouse? Yes, it is. There I was, in front of the very first treehouse I had ever seen. It was here. In Cyprus? In the very centre of Limassol! Just a few minutes away from the shore. As I was observing its shape, its rather abandoned state, I was trying to remember the most significant discoveries I had ever made during my trips and yes, I recognized the pattern.

Let's see... Would you rely on your observational skills to find your way? Would you trust your gut to reach the train stations in time? To catch three trains and two planes? Yes? Are you sure? Are you taking the risk? Why would you do that?

For my next Euro trip, I was going to go mapless.

Yes... by the way, that day, I lost my challenge to get lost in my hometown, but I'm willing to try again. This very afternoon.