We have a little more than a week before we are officially sworn in as Peace Corps volunteers, and we can finally shed the trainee label and get to work. Our swearing in ceremony will be in Yerevan on Monday, August the 14th in Yerevan (the capital). We get to stay at a hotel, which means on-demand, wood-free showers, beds that are long enough and a night on the town (ie American food and beer). I’m definetly excited, but I will also miss Bazum and my host Mom quite a bit. We have gotten really close over the last few weeks and it will be a tough goodbye. A few reasons why:
What’s in a Name?
When I first met my teachers, Sveta and Stepan, they told me that I would have a problem with my name. In Armenian, Kyle means a step, and “Kylel” means to step, or to walk. Needless to say, I expected and received several jokes about this, as appearently “Kyle Kylel” is about the funniest thing in Armenia. To alleviate the problem, we decided to change a letter in my name to the other “k” sound. After emparting this information upon my host Mom, laughter proceeded a howling noise, followed by an explanation that “kyle” in fact means wolf. So, we decided to switch my name to the affectionate “Michayel”, or “Miko”. Thanks Mom!
Fuk
For those who know me, I love board games, and I was elated to discover that Armenians play checkers as well. (Un)fortunately they play by different rules, in a Russian version called “Sheshki”. With Sheshki, the rules change, with one rule standing out the most. Allow me to replay the conversation, which begins after I failed to jump a piece, because pieces can jump backwards:
Mom: Eat [take the piece]!
Kyle: What??
M: Eat!
K: What? Why??
M: You don’t eat? Then “fuk”!
K: Fuk?? No fuk… no no no.
M: Yes, fuk!
K: No fuk! No fuk!
M: Yes, fuk (takes my piece)
K: Ahhh… nice fuk.
Turns out “fuk” is just the way to say you forgot to jump a piece, so you lose yours. Talk about culture shock! Anyway, my apologies to anyone in the states who’s been without power, or is living with 100+ degree temperatures. I’ve been having 24/7 electrictity and 70 degree days. I bet no one thought life would be so much better in Armenia… suckers. But, I am keeping pretty busy, here’s what I have going on the next few days:
- Monday: Language 9-12, teaching a computer class from 2-6, host family theater practice 7-9 :/
- Tuesday: Language 9-1, shopping for my BIRTHDAY PARTY 2-4
- Wednesday: “Central Day” for all trainees, talking about feelings, and my final language test 9-5, ducking out early for a birthday party
- Thursday: More of Wednesday 9-5, plus celebrating our last Central Day!
- Friday: MY BIRTHDAY PARTY, and our end of the year Bazum party
- Saturday: Host family theater all day – our village is putting on a play for all of our host families, all in Armenian
- Sunday: Packing and hugging and picture taking and lots of food
- Monday: Swearing in Yerevan
- Tuesday: Off to Noyemberian to start my next two years!
Needless to say, I won’t have a lot of downtime. But, hey, that’s what the winter’s for…
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One Response:
August 12th, 2006 at 2:35 am
I was going to send you a B-day present until I realized that it might get there after you leave you host mom’s house. Post your new address as soon as you get it and you’ll get a belated birthday package.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Lukin