Research...the easy way

I mentioned before I wanted to take my story to an exotic location.

At this point in my life, I can't exactly jet set off to research one.

But, I want my setting to have the details, tastes, smells,authenticity, of a real place. A place people live. A place many have been to. A place I would need to get the facts straight about.

What to do?

Easy. I chose a place I'd already been. Cyprus.

Cyprus is a Greek island in the Mediterranian. It's absolutely beautiful. A lot like Hawaii in setting but with old world charm.

I spent a couple months there with my boyfriend's family, years ago. Talk about juicy material for later. I stayed in their house, ate their food, walked their streets and learned their language. Well, kinda.

But, a lot can change in a decade (plus). So, I went on-line and pulled up as many pictures of the town I wanted to base my story in as I could find.

Happy day, the place looks remarkably the same. They still drink the Cyprian coffee in the little cups with the thick residu in the bottom.
Keo beer is still the choice of the locals and tavli remains the game of choice. Wonderful!

I could have picked another setting, say Jamaica. I've never been there, so we'd be talking a lot of research. Why not go with what I already know?

The best part is I get to relive a wonderful memory. And share it with my future readers. How cool is the writing life?