The 2008 EMYR Pirate Party!
18 May 2008 | Girne, Northern Cyprus
by Wesley Harris
"Arrrrr!" everyone in the EMYR yelled as we walked down the streets of Cyprus in pirate costumes. One of the highlights of the EMYR is the annual pirates party. It is a highly promoted event, and we were all informed before we arrived about getting ones swashbuckling costume ready.
We left the marina and arrived to the old port. We began a trail of about 200 people dressed in creatively chosen costumes down the streets. I was wearing a leather type vest and red striped pants, with a red sash and a leather hat. Ryan wore a red shirt with a gold trim and some black pirate pants, and a pirate bandana on his head. As we were walking down the streets of Cyprus we sang pirate songs and waved to the people. They were taking videos and pictures of us.
We walked until the "Pirates of the EMYR" got to the Dome Hotel where the party was hosted. There was a table for each group, and a table for the "young pirates". We "young pirates" were, Cassie and Juliana from Zia, Tom and George from Cowrie of Cows, Anouck and Celine from Cenou, and Brune and Arthur from Arcaloune. After getting settled down with our drinks, we took our swords and fought a friendly pirate game.
To go to the buffet, your group was to be called, but we kids had an advantage--we were allowed to go straight to the chow. The food was great! There were kabobs, rice, soup, and vegetables platters. There was also a dessert table there with fruit, ice cream, cake, and pastries.
After dinner, Dave (not Dad), a key member of the EMYR committee said that we kids would pick the best man and women pirate costume. We walked around the party taking notes of the costumes. After we got our results we went on the stage to tell the winners. The woman was Cathy from the S/V Twixster and the man was Jan from the S/V Sansipapp. They each received a decorated jug from the contest.
After a wonderful time at the party we walked back to the boat. We had great fun and a sense of more "pirate" blood in our bodies.