“What did you eat when you walked in Cyprus?” The Idiot was asked by a foodie in London who had just purchased a copy of The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Twenty Years Walking the Mediterranean to learn a bit more about cuisine in 22 Mediterranean countries.

In fact, The Idiot told her, the food in Cyprus reflects a country partitioned into two states — the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). And two of everything else, including languages (Turkish in the north, Greek in the south), currencies (the Turkish lira in the north, the euro in the south), religions (Islam in the north, Greek Orthodox in the south) and cuisine (Greek in the south, Turkish in the north).

Here’s a sampling of what The Idiot ate on both sides of the 180-kilometer, or 112-mile, UN-patrolled buffer zone that has divided the island since 1964.

Breakfasting while backpacking with two other MedTrekkers in the TRNC.

Breakfasting solo at an Airbnb flat in Larnaca in the Republic of Cyprus.

Enjoying an abnormally copious eight-euro lunch in Parmali on the MedTrek towards the Rock of Aphrodite in the Republic of Cyprus.

Buying tomatoes for lunch in the TRNC.

Watching dinner about to go in the oven at the Dilara Restaurant in Dipkarpaz in the TRNC.

Taking a “family” photo after dinner at the Dilara Restaurant in Dipkarpaz in the TRNC.

Lunching with two MedTrekkers and two local friends in Larnaca in the Republic of Cyprus.

Having tea with some camping school teachers on the Karpaz Golden Beach in the TRNC.

Enjoying an ice cream cone after almost completing the MedTrek into Paphos in the Republic of Cyprus.

Opting for a take-away lunch in the TRNC.

Having a last lunch with his two MedTrekking companions after finishing the walk around Cyprus.

Planning to open a peace-promoting food truck in Cyprus.

Next week: “What did The Idiot eat while MedTrekking through Lebanon and Israel?”

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About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."