Dark side of the Med

[PolemIan]

We only made our first trip 'over the line' last month, so it was kind of nice to see a few bits from that trip such as the indoor market, the saddest part of the programme though was the line from the Mukhtar "we are 99% the same". what a waste.

Ian

[Jimgward]

Thoroughly enjoyed the programme. The Mucktar was enlightening and gives some hope.... The Gaza part shows some hope from local entrepreneurism, but also the lack of hope of fisherman restricted to 6 mile limits by Israeli gunboats, when there are no fish there....

[WHL]

Thoroughly enjoyed the programme. The Mucktar was enlightening and gives some hope.... The Gaza part shows some hope from local entrepreneurism, but also the lack of hope of fisherman restricted to 6 mile limits by Israeli gunboats, when there are no fish there....

The guide summed it up, Gazza the biggest open prison on planet Earth, take a bow Israel.

[WHL]

Have to say, that was one of the best programmes this year. Not just the Cyprus bit, but also when he visited Lebanon, Israel and then Gaza, all parts of the programme treated with understanding and without condemnation.

Those who who were anticipating torrid tales of corruption in Cyprus would have been disappointed though

Brilliant viewing, perhaps only surpassed by the programme which followed at 11pm on BBC2, "Last Chance Lawyer".

What a cover up, I was expecting to see what a Hell hole of corruption Cyprus is, the presenter probably had a brown envelope from the Cyprus Tourism office, disgusting.

[Firefly]

Excellent viewing, we really enjoyed it.

[JimX]

Just watched the catch up of this weeks episode, I found it all rather dark and depressing absolutely not an advert for the Holiday Island Cyprus is, I was rather disappointed in the program this week, maybe I did not expect to be in the hills and mountains in the snow, what was rather awful in my humble opinion, as for the back streets on the green line in Nicosia, I think most of us have seen this many times in the past. I like Simon and always enjoyed most of his travel shows, not this time for me though.

[WHL]

Just watched the catch up of this weeks episode, I found it all rather dark and depressing absolutely not an advert for the Holiday Island Cyprus is, I was rather disappointed in the program this week, maybe I did not expect to be in the hills and mountains in the snow, what was rather awful in my humble opinion, as for the back streets on the green line in Nicosia, I think most of us have seen this many times in the past. I like Simon and always enjoyed most of his travel shows, not this time for me though.

It wasn't meant to be a Holiday brochure program

[Dominic]

The clue was in the title.

[JimX]

WHL.

I never thought it was a holiday program WHL I just thought it was very dark and disappointing as was your reply.

( What a cover up, I was expecting to see what a Hell hole of corruption Cyprus is, the presenter probably had a brown envelope from the Cyprus Tourism office, disgusting.)


This TV program has all been done before more than a few times, sorry did not like the show.

[WHL]

[quote=WHL post_id=72214 time=1539669157 user_id=604]
[quote=JimX post_id=72205 time=1539665246 user_id=474]
Just watched the catch up of this weeks episode, I found it all rather dark and depressing absolutely not an advert for the Holiday Island Cyprus is, I was rather disappointed in the program this week, maybe I did not expect to be in the hills and mountains in the snow, what was rather awful in my humble opinion, as for the back streets on the green line in Nicosia, I think most of us have seen this many times in the past. I like Simon and always enjoyed most of his travel shows, not this time for me though.

It wasn't meant to be a Holiday brochure program
[/quote]
[/i][/size]
I never thought it was a holiday program WHL I just thought it was very dark and disappointing as was your reply.

( What a cover up, I was expecting to see what a Hell hole of corruption Cyprus is, the presenter probably had a brown envelope from the Cyprus Tourism office, disgusting.)


This TV program has all been done before more than a few times, sorry did not like the show.
[/quote]
My reply was tongue in cheek, not meant to be taken seriously

[JimX]

Thank you maybe you should have said so. that is the problem with text.

Also why all the quoting? we really do not wish to read it twice, "saying tongue in cheek".

[WHL]

Thank you maybe you should have said so. that is the problem with text.

Also why all the quoting? we really do not wish to read it twice, "saying tongue in cheek".

Explaining first, rather defeats the object, don't you think?

[JimX]

Text is often not understood and why they offer ways of letting you know it was a joke.

Granville for sure it is not original, It has been done before that is a fact, just check out UTube several ex-tv shows with the same content.

If you thought it was a wonderful TV show that is good news. Again it was not for me.

And to let you know half my family here are indeed Cypriot refugees from the 1974 war, they lost everything except their lives. Did not need to see Simons poor effort personally.

[boycott]

The impression I got (and members of my family) that watched it saw it as an Island that refuses to move forward and is happy to live in the 20th century and that most of the Cypriots are saying "Oh woe is me/us, look what happened in 74"

They seem to forget that that is was 44 years ago and unless local attitudes change it will still be the same in another 44 years.

As for the Mucktar living in the 19th century and expecting the village to do the same, what a poor representative he is for anyone!

[JimX]

Well I do agree with some of that, just like Ireland they hold long time grudges, but this is easy for anyone to say, our lot got out with just the clothes they had and nothing else, home, business bank accounts the lot, Simon never mentioned that, the British Army gave them blankets and tents where Pafos airport is now, they endured that for a very long time.

So yes it is easy to say, a grudge is just that, nearly losing your lives and everything else is another matter. Incidentally, our family have long moved on rebuilding their lives and they never talk about what happened openly in 1974, it is water under the bridge for them.

[boycott]

As Cyprus is short of water (Varies villages outside Limassol, the water is cut off from 7pm till morning supposedly to conserve water) why hasn't the Cypriot government built a water decsalination plant like the one shown in Israel?

Yes I know it will have cost a lot of money but I am sure EU and others would help fund it, yes water prices would rise but at least they would be a plentiful supply of water for human use and farmers.

[Jimgward]

I would argue strongly with the statement that this type of programme "has been done before". In my opinion it is highly original, giving a laymans perspective of major issues in the countries being "showcased". I think we are all aware of the "corruption" that exists in Cyprus, it is endemic throughout the Med, but I think highlighting the "divide" as it did will open a few eyes back in the UK. It showed the opinions and feelings of real people as opposed to the politicians showboating.

Well said

[WHL]

As Cyprus is short of water (Varies villages outside Limassol, the water is cut off from 7pm till morning supposedly to conserve water) why hasn't the Cypriot government built a water decsalination plant like the one shown in Israel?

Yes I know it will have cost a lot of money but I am sure EU and others would help fund it, yes water prices would rise but at least they would be a plentiful supply of water for human use and farmers.

Cyprus already has desalination plants, but not the size of the one in Israel, Cyprus unlike Israel, does not have generous American Billionaire supporters , bank rolling Israels every whim.

[WHL]

The impression I got (and members of my family) that watched it saw it as an Island that refuses to move forward and is happy to live in the 20th century and that most of the Cypriots are saying "Oh woe is me/us, look what happened in 74"

They seem to forget that that is was 44 years ago and unless local attitudes change it will still be the same in another 44 years.

As for the Mucktar living in the 19th century and expecting the village to do the same, what a poor representative he is for anyone!

The Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, is still recovering bodies on both sides of the divide as we speak, very easy for people to post it was 44years ago blah blah blah, im sure if it was one of your loved ones they dug up, you wouldn't be so insensitive, for many its still very raw.

[Jimgward]

The impression I got (and members of my family) that watched it saw it as an Island that refuses to move forward and is happy to live in the 20th century and that most of the Cypriots are saying "Oh woe is me/us, look what happened in 74"

They seem to forget that that is was 44 years ago and unless local attitudes change it will still be the same in another 44 years.

As for the Mucktar living in the 19th century and expecting the village to do the same, what a poor representative he is for anyone!

The Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, is still recovering bodies on both sides of the divide as we speak, very easy for people to post it was 44years ago blah blah blah, im sure if it was one of your loved ones they dug up, you wouldn't be so insensitive, for many its still very raw.

WHL - I agree with what you say, but "reconciliation" needs to happen in Cyprus - like Northern Ireland, South Africa and other countries. Hatred is divisive and unfortunately in Cyprus, most of that seems to come from the leaders, both religious and political - whereas many individuals, even those who lost loved ones, could go through reconciliation processes.