Session Two - 21 August 1999

21 August - Zenon on its way to Istanbul...

"After a good-bye to the camp we started early in the morning to the harbour of Larnaca where we brought our luggage on the boat. We started to get arranged with the situation on board: There is not too much space and we saw that everybody must be respectful to the privacy of the other during the coming days. It will not be easy, but we are all happy to finally be able to start.

The afternoon we received training by the crew around security and navigation and a first welcome by the Captain.

In the evening we had a small ceremony for our departure where we received several gifts from the Cypriots and warm good-bye. Also the authorities of the city of Larnaca presented us a sculpture of the philosopher Zenon from Cyprus, who was the first thinker of peace and organised work towards peace. We were asked to carry it to Istanbul as a symbol of reconciliation.

Then we had to say good-bye to Daniella as she had to catch her plane back to Beirut. It was a very sad moment, especially since this showed how far peace is away from political reality.

At 21.00h we set sail and took off! The Cruise started."

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Emre (Scout, Turkey) accepts the statue of Philosopher Zenon from the Town Councilor of Larnaca, M. Alexis Michaelides, and promises to present this gift to the Mayor of Istanbul with a message of peace from Cyprus.