Kyle’s Journey in Armenia

I never proclaimed to be perticularly good at this blogging thing – so my apologies for this belated, long-overdue update. As with most everyone, a lot has happened over the past few weeks, so I’ll save you the time and give you a quick summary, with a few exciting highlights:

Projects:

• Handicap Accessibility for Noyemberyan’s School #2 – we’ve spent the past few weeks writing up a few grants for this projects, and we will know at the beginning of Decemember whether we get them or not. I really hope we do, as it’s a wonderful project, and will genuinly enrich the lives of people with disabilities in the area. I had the opportunity to meet with a family out in a village who is anxiously awaiting the acquisition of accessible ramps ands bathrooms for the schools. This certainly put a personal twist on the entire project. Wish us luck!! Interestingly enough, nearly everyone at the school has asked us (the PC Vols) to speak with the grant organization directly about the project. According to them, you just can’t win a grant in this country without knowing someone on the inside. I’m going to let my blind optimism take me through this the first time, so we’ll see how it works out.
• WiFi Internet – long story, but basically we ordered equipment, someone opened the box between the US and Armenia, and *poof*, no equipment. So, amidst dealing with the beuracracy of TWO government post offices, we’re set back another month. Goes to show that one bad apple really can spoil the whole bunch.

Perils:

• Everyday is really a peril here 🙂 – Usually there’s always something, whether continued host family drama (can December come to soon??), language, or some people’s genuine lack of motivation. Although, I think everything was summed up Yesterday, when Alex and I went to a cafe mid-day for some food and coffee. We expressed our desire for food (in Armenian), and sat down and waited. This was appearently our folly. We didn’t know the rules of restaraunt ettiquete, so an hour later and still hungry, I asked the manager where the food was. His look of total confusion summed it up – he obviously had no clue we wanted food. So much for four months of studying – back to the books for us!
• An Apple (vodka) a Day… – Being sick no fun for anyone, but I would like to compliment Peace Corps for their excellent medical care. It’s easily the best I’ve dealt with, and I even received a follow-up phone call today from my doctor. Now that’s service! FORTUNATELY for me, everyone here is born a doctor, and everyone knows the cure for all your problems is shots of homemade vodka. I learned this first hand from a not-to-be-identified highly-public authority figure, who invited me to his office when he heard I was sick. After asking me to sit, he goes to the door, looks outside to make sure his underlings are not around, and shuts the door. I have to admit I’m a bit nervous at this point, until he pulls out 2 cups and a 2L Coke bottle full of a mysterious clear-ish liquid (mind you, this is around noon-time). At this point nervousness shifts to downright fear, and upon my insistance that my doctor told me I can’t drink (which is true), he said, “Your doctor is a liar. I am your doctor now, and you need to drink this homemade vodka. Castro drinks it, which is why he’s still alive after all these years.” Luckily Alex saved me at the last minute – thanks bud!

I’m sure the post so far has everyone in a depressed mood, but that’s life here sometimes. However, as I recently learned, “Chika charik arants barik“, or every cloud has a silver lining. Fret not, family and friends, for I am happy, and my life is still full of…

Adventures:

• The Front Lines – As alluded to in the previous post, Alex and I took a hike a few weeks ago to a 1600 year old fort in a neighboring village, about 3km from the Azeri border. For all the worrying mothers and 3rd graders, it was completely safe, despite all the continued warnings that we would be shot by “Turkish Snipers” for going there. Of course, the fort is close to a heavily populated village, and sheep graze around it all day. People here have experienced a lot of loss, especially given Noyemeberyan’s history as a war town (it was briefly invaded in 1995). Subsequently, many are afraid to travel outside of their personal safety net, which is a shame, because this really is a beautiful country with a very rich history (they say the Garden of Eden was here in Armenia, very near my town). Anyway, we made it safe. Actually, given our supurb directional abilities, we got moderately sidetracked and decided to ask for directions. In our search for a guide, we stumbled across an unlikely, but highly trained adventurer. Of course, I’m talking about an 80 year old Grandmother at work in the field:

  

  Together, we trudged a half mile across fields and forrests, all the while learning about her great-grandkids and how the stars are brighter in Armenia because it is “closer to God”. She was obviously right, because God knows how this woman made it all the way to the hill overlooking the fort, with us lagging behind short of breath. After our thank yous and kisses good bye, we adventured to the fort, climed on it with the aid of our sheep-herding friends, and took these breathtaking photos:

• The Noy’s 10th Birthday – this past week we celebrated Noyemberyan’s (or as well call it, The Noy) 10th birthday since becoming a town (it was a “village-like town”, whatever that means). I did learn that 10th Birthday Party really means Make Children Perform Traditional Armenian Dances Intersperesed With Shakira Remixes On Stage At School. I posted an album of pictures, but it was a great time. I have video too, so look for that soon.

  

• Garden of Eden – As previously mentioned, Armenia proclaims itself as the location of much Biblical history, including the site of Noah’s Ark (on top of Mount Ararat) and the Garden of Eden. While I’m not sure the stars shine much brighter here, I was finally convinced about the Garden of Eden this weekend, when I went to visit my host cousins’ gyug (village). It required about 30 minutes of walking, but the place was paradise. If I were to write the next Great Americ an Novel, it would be from there. Village life is a lot different, as it’s 700 people who a) speak no English, b) have never seen an American before and c) never seen someone as tall as me before. The combination was exhilirating, but I’ve probably never had a more relaxing, laughter-filled weekend in my life. It was very inspiring to see beautiful people and beautiful country, especially in the otherwise bleak world of Armenia. It was certainly better than a weekend at Club Med! Plus, would Club Med would offer you an invitation back for New Years to help slaughter the celebratory pig?? No pictures though – you can only experience it if you see it yourself.

Ok, this is long enough, I’ll continue this later. I need to continue work on the next Great American Blogpost anyway. Tsestestyoon Dzez!

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