Sorry it’s been a few days since I’ve posted, my MP3 player/flash drive got fried at the internet cafe last Friday :/ So if anyone is looking for birthday presents for me (August 26), this is a big wink wink. Anyway, there’s been a lot going on lately, tons of fun times with hiking, the locals, etc, but I’d like to share my adventure from last Sunday, because it was nothing short of that – an adventure in language, culture, and Armenian fun.
I decided to go into Vanadzor (the neighboring city w/ around 100,000 people – my village is 1,200) to do some shopping and to buy a new USB drive. All was well, and I even got to explore the Armenian bootleg cd market, which was of new interest for me. However, I had to catch a bus back home so I could attend a 2pm party – so I hop on the bus which says “Bazum” (my village – in Armenian) and ask them, brokenly, is this bus going to Bazum? I get a slew of yeses, and a half hour later, I end up at “Bazum” street, on the opposite side of Vanadzor. So, lost with no map, no cell phone and only a few words of Armenian, I managed to spend most of my money, but I got back to my village and ran home to change for the party. That’s when things got crazy.
I arrive at the neighbors party, which is celebrating the return home of their son from the Army (here it’s a compulsory two years for men). What I thought would be a small hootanany was anything but – probably about 300 people:
Plenty of dancing:
and enough food to literally feed an army:
And of course, vodka:
As you can see, it was a great time – even the Tateek (Grandma) was having fun! But, nothing goes better with Vodka and Armenian men then toasting with Americans, so I met a new friend who quickly became “yerkbyr-jan” (Dear Brother of mine). To clarify, this guy is “that drunk uncle” at your family reunion. Long story short, he ends up following us home (and leaves and comes back) because he misses me so much, and in the process gives me more kisses and hugs than I received in my four years of college. Let me tell you, it was sad to say “hadgogh” to that guy…
But, that’s just another day in Armenia. Until next week, please take care! And hi Dave’s mom, and any others out there!
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2 Responses:
June 30th, 2006 at 9:06 am
Kyle, we are so enjoying your posts and check for them several times a week. Keep up the good work – we are so proud of the fine job you are doing holding up the family name while holding up that glass of vodka! Take care!
Love, Aunt Marilyn
July 2nd, 2006 at 3:52 am
Thanks for the “hi” Kyle… Dave was able to call home on Father’s Day so that was great! It sounds as if all is well with both of you. I know that your family and friends probably miss you as much as we do Dave. It means a lot to us to be able to read about and see the pictures of your life in Armenia. Tell Dave hello for us the next time you see him…and that he has a care package on the way! Take care…Dave’s mom(aka Andrea)