Youth in Revolt
Up until last Sunday, I had not had any negative experiences with the people of Cyprus. Of course, I had combated the heat, the language barrier and the high price of everything… But never had I had a poor experience with the residents of this island… Until the bus ride to Ayia Napa.
The majority of the GLS students had decided to go on a day-cruise out of Larnaca, full of deep-sea fishing, a barbeque and of course, boxed wine. I had been on antibiotics and unable to partake in the consumption of alcohol, so I made other arrangements with a group of girls from the program to go on a day trip to Ayia Napa.
We woke up bright and early to wait at the bus stop in Engomi, but we were still almost late for the bus to Ayia Napa. When we got on, the 6 of us realized that we weren’t going to be able to sit together. The bus was crammed full of people, and we almost weren’t able to board since there might not have been enough room. There were a few seats at the front and a few at the back, but by the time I got on, all the other ladies had taken the available seats up front. I was lucky enough to get a seat in the very back with a group of young Cypriot boys.
Looking at them, they seemed pretty harmless. They looked like typical teenaged boys, following the fads of the day. They had spiky hair, piercings, all dressed a bit the same and they had that same “I am so cool!” attitude that adolescent males have. I took my seat next to an older guy, and promptly pulled out my cell phone to play Snake and text. As soon as I sat down, they started to bother me. Literally. They kept hitting my arm, yelling “EXCUSE ME!” and trying to get my attention. I ignored them.
As their interest in me dwindled, they turned it upon more pressing issues: the lack of disruption on the bus. These boys made it their absolute goal to anger and annoy every person on the bus. At one point, an older woman a few seats ahead of me turned around and started screaming at them in Greek. They responded with (what I later learned was) an extremely derogatory and repulsive comment. Once she sat down, they resumed their debauchery. They would sing loud songs in Greek, spit on the ceiling of the bus and shout things at our bus driver.
Finally, the young man who was sitting with the older woman ahead of me got up and started yelling at the boys. Whatever he said must have really upset them, because the next thing I know, the boys have all stormed the front of the bus and are trying to throw punches at the man who was yelling. The older woman is now standing, screaming, and trying to beat the boys off of her companion with her umbrella. They just kept screaming and yelling, and the boys kept pushing each other closer to the front, leaning over (my) seat in an attempt to join in on the action.
The police were called, and they came aboard to ask some questions and try to figure out who needed to be punished. In the end, no one was carted off the bus, nothing more was said or done, and we jumped off at the next stop.
I was shocked and scared after the entire ordeal. I had been sitting by myself while a fight erupted around me, and while a group of 16 year old boys doesn’t necessarily look menacing while they’re singing songs to one another, when they’re all piled on top of each other, screaming and yelling, they can be quite terrifying.
Seeing this outward act of aggression brought back to mind a few different conversations I’d had with people since arriving in Cyprus. From general observation, it was clear that there is a lot of vandalism in the cities. Some of the graffiti we saw was sweet or artistic, but most of it comes from the hoodlums around town. They spray paint vulgarities and quotes against the church, against establishment and society in general. Dr. Legg even commented on the fact that since the last time he was here, summer of 2010, the amount of graffiti has grown an exponential amount. Others have expressed concern over the fact that a lot of the issues they have seen arise have been from unruly teenagers. I’ve heard stories about gangs of kids picking fights with anyone and everyone, harassing the elderly and doing their best to make others’ lives more difficult.
It’s just shocking to me. This country, while it has its sordid history, has been nothing but friendly and welcoming since I have arrived. The people have never been rude or cross, and it’s just surprising to me that the younger generation can grow up so recklessly. Their parents should be the ones who are angry and spiteful, not the children, but it seems to be the other way around here.
When the boys on the bus fought, the old woman was screaming about how they are a disgrace to Cyprus, and that they are the future generation of this country and it will fail because of their behavior. I know that there are kids that act this way in America, but they aren’t in the majority. These kids here run around in packs, almost like wolves. From what I have heard from people I have met here, the younger generation just doesn’t know what they want or what they are doing. They take much longer to grow up and settle down, and the fact that the country is moving towards more urban and suburban living, rather than the villages and small towns they are used to also has something to do with it.
I am interested to see what happens with this country in the future if even some of the adults here are ashamed of their behavior.