Wednesday, August 31, 2005

eco-camps and other assorted horrors


The past week and a half or so has been awash in new experiences, opportunities, craziness and sometimes general ridiculousness. The latter is mainly in reference to the time I spent at Eco-camps working with an NGO from Yerevan. I suppose that is as good a place to start as any….although I must add the disclaimer that because this is a website I must temper my thoughts and opinions (as well as the truth in some cases) so as not to cause trouble.

With that said, I have never witnessed the level of pettiness and mismanagement that I was privy to this week. At least not in a “professional” setting. This was mainly a problem of the Armenians from Yerevan not be able to play well with the Armenians from the village. This is not entirely surprising due to the huge dichotomy between the very separate capital of this country and everywhere else, but one would think there would still be some level of respect for ones fellow countrymen. Wrong.

The problems also extended to me and my fellow volunteers, or at least a couple of us. I managed to get myself kicked out of the kitchen and nearly out of the camp on the morning of the second day for the mere (vulgar) suggestion that if dirty water was boiled it would kill the germs… “Who are you? What is your background? Well, I’m sorry, but that’s just wrong.” Oh yeah, and I’m a terrible guest, didn’t belong at the camp, wanted to poison all of the children and blame it on the NGO, overcame my responsibilities, etc., etc., etc. I shouldn’t have opened my mouth as I had already witnessed some of the arguments these women had put forth, but as I just carried at least 40 liters of water and was watching people argue about whether or not they could use it to wash dishes, I thought I would be helpful and make a suggestion.

I spent the remainder of the week (outside of the kitchen….) watching complete chaos ensue as grown adults fought like children and one woman struggled for power over all the rest, demanding “subordination” and repeatedly outlining the power structure and indicating her status as “in-charge.” Names were called, threats were made, bridges were burned, someone was accused of throwing hotdogs….as far as we know this was a flase accusation, although hotdogs were placed on the table with a considerable amount of force at once point. Somehow, miraculously, the children still had a good time and the camp was a success in that one respect. I also spent the week with my first real case of, shall we say, intestinal problems. In a village with nothing but squat outhouses. Yes, if you are picturing an outhouse with a hole in the floor and a giant pit underneath, you are entirely correct. This was, of course (knowing my luck) compounded by the fact that I had managed to take a spectacular fall down about three stairs and sprain my ankle. Well, actually the ankle rolling cuased the fall…details. The important aspect lies in the inability to squat without pain. Ahhh…village life.

I also had the distinct pleasure of heating water in a tea kettle so that a fellow volunteer could pour it over my head on Charlie’s front porch while we pretended that it was sort of like showering. Charlie, as you may have guessed, does not have running water. Or a bathroom. He takes bucket baths in his living room, which was made difficult by the fact that there were eight of us living at his house for a week. I settled for washing my hair a couple of times and called it good.

Tatev is a true village (far more village-like than margohovit): very remote and without many of the amenities of the developed world. In places that were equipped for running water, it came for about 2 hours a day, usually 11-1. At this time people stop what they are doing to walk with buckets to the nearest water source and fill up all of the empty containers in their homes. Hot water is made on the stove and bathing, dish washing, and laundering is all done with buckets. Toilet flushing too if one is fortunate enough to have indoor facilities. I can only imagine what winter life is like in this region that certainly gets its share of cold weather. I am worried enough about winter in Vayk, which is supposedly very mild. Washing clothes by hand in below freezing weather just seems like severe punishment…

In a lot of ways I enjoyed the week-long stint in Tatev. I really felt like I was in the Peace Corps that week, living somewhere really remote and having to do everything by hand. It was also nice to cook some familiar meals with my fellow Americans-oatmeal for breakfast, quesadillas, spaghetti, and lentil soup for dinners, and no mountinas of bread, or hotdogs! Still, I was happy to return to Vayk which suddenly seems a lot more civilized. I mean, I can actually sit down to use the toilet inside of the house. I still have to fill a bucket up with water to flush it, but hey, how difficult is that?

Today I did laundry for the first time in Vayk. I had been putting it off due to fear of host family over-involvement, but all went beautifully. All they did was show me the buckets and bring me some hot water and then they left. I was so surprised, I actually waited for them to come back. My independence has been so much easier to gain here and for that I am eternally grateful. Still, my luck has not entirely changed. In Margohovit it seemed that no matter what day I did laundry, by the time I hung it on the line it would be getting ready to storm. I attributed this mainly to the fact that it was the rainy season and we were in the mountains. Now that I am living in the desert and it hardly ever rains it should be better right? Guess again. I have not seen a single raindrop or even in cloud in Vayk the entire time I have been here. This afternoon, almost immediately after I hung my clothes on the line…it started raining. I give up. The rain gods hate me.

Life in Vayk is picking up pace, although I don’t have any real work yet. Fortunately I was prepared for this and it is nice to have some time to unwind and settle in. My counterpart called the other day to say that when is extremely so we will meet next week. The schools start tomorrow (sept. 1), so I am going to go see what that is like. My tutor is also busy until next week, because of school starting, so I don’t have that to do either. Instead, I have mostly been hanging out with the Americans, doing some exploring of the natural wonders of the area, and getting organized in my room. Now, I have lots of pictures and maps on the wall, which makes it feel more like home, and since it is night 98% humidity in here, it is fairly nice to hang out in.

Anyhow, things are going well now that I settling back into Vayk again, and I should have more interesting things just around the bend. Hope all is well in the states.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Vayk, Vayk, Vayk!

I have lived with my new host family for two days now and I think it is safe to say that it is a million times better here! I had no idea that living with a host family could be so enjoyable…

On Monday the A13’s (my class) swore in as official Peace Corps volunteers. So there you have it, I started my application for the Peace Corps last September, and now almost an entire year later, I have the esteemed status of volunteer. The ceremony was very formal and official, and included all of the Ministers from the areas we will be working-education, health, environment, and business. We were also joined by the honorable ambassador John Evans, who is a big supporter of the Peace Corps (and rumor has it came back from his vacation a day early for swearing in). The rest of the audience was all of the PC staff, current volunteers, LCF’s, counterparts, etc. That, and just about every cameraman and news station in Armenia. The press coverage was impressive. All of these people to shake hands with, have pictures taken and to officially declare the end of the hazing!!! I couldn’t be happier or ready to begin my new life in Vayk.

I left Yerevan early Tuesday morning, but not before first concocting an elaborate scheme to buy a floor fan at the shuka (street market, basically). We had gone looking Monday evening (we being me the married couple that will be living in Yeghegnadzor-my neighboring town and internet point), but in over an hour of walking, looking an attempting to act out the word fan, we found ONE. And it was 21,000 AMD, which is like 50 dollars. Not exactly in the Peace Corps volunteer budget. We actually found two, but when we asked about the second one, a saleswoman jumped in front of it as if it were matter of life and death and told us, in no uncertain terms, that it was not for sale.

Since the married couple and I were the only ones traveling to our marz-Vayotsdzor, for those of you scoring at home-I thought maybe we could talk the marshrutni driver into stopping at the shukas so we could look for fans. At this point we knew that in mid-august this was a bit of a desperate mission and also a bit late in the season as most stores were soold out and most likely not getting any more. Additionally, I still did not know the word for fan, although I had learned that the Armenian word is very long, so they use the Russian word. Very common, but not so helpful considering I didn’t know the Russian word either. So, I managed to run into one of the LCF’s, who happens to live in Vayk, and was going to see us off in the morning because she had a bag she wanted to send with us. I asked her to ask the driver if he could stop for fans. Not only did the driver stop, but he got out of the vehicle, walked us through 8 or 9 different shops, priced the fans for us, explained to the clerks what we wanted, made the salespeople check the fans for working order (as you might imagine, there is not exactly a return policy in Armenia…) and helped us to carry them back to the marshrutnie. Not only that, but he acted as our own personal crossing guard, helpful, considering crossing the street in Yerevan is probably one of the most dangerous things I do (or have ever done). I am pretty sure I will never, ever have a marshutni driver as good as this one! At least I have a fan to remember him by.

Now I am here, in my new, dry, mold-free, and fairly cool (thanks to my new fan) bedroom. It is also quiet, and I have a real closet. Hangers, of course, are a different story. Its enough to make me wonder if there is a trade embargo on hangers…I bought four hangers today, cost me almost 2 dollars, which is far more than an average days pay for an Armenian. They are experts at putting at least 5 items of clothing on each hanger. I have also seen some interesting homemade ones…

I already feel much more a part of this family than I ever did in my previous situation. They take the time to actually talk to me and I have managed real conversations, even about abstract topics like religion. These are often fairly one-sided, with them talking and me nodding and saying yes when I understand, but it is enjoyable, and it is helping me with my language tremendously. I already feel like I speak much better. Of course, it helps that I really want to be a part of this family and genuinely enjoy spending time with them and helping out around the house. Life is more traditional here-the mother does not work, they have an average amount of money (or maybe even above average, but not like in margahovit), and daily activities are a little slower and involve a lot less MTV. They do have a television, but it comes on briefly in the evenings at a normal decibel level.

When I arrived I got the tour of the garden: apple trees, pear trees, apricot trees, grape vines, all sorts of vegetables and flowers, bee hives, chickens, and a turkey. The turkey takes care of the baby chicks so as to scare the cats away. The big chickens are elsewhere, laying fresh eggs. The pears are just in season, and I helped harvest nearly three buckets of them for muraba (like a cross between jam and candid fruit). This is done by one person climbing the tree with a ladder and shaking vigorously. The other three stand underneath with a tarp to catch the pears. I wonder why Peace Corps doesn’t issue helmets for this activity?

Later I got to witness one of the big events of this time of the year in Vayotsdzor: homemade vodka making! I have pictures, but this is an elaborate contraption like one I have never seen before. The vodka is heated up in one end and when it gets really hot, it travels down a long pipe that is inside a bigger pipe. The Bigger pipe has cold water moving through it to cool the vodka. It is strained into a bucket on the other end. I think we sat around for about a half hour waiting for the vodka to come out-the big event. Kind of like watching grass grow perhaps, but the end result is much more exciting. And 78% alcohol, I might add. I sampled a bit of the fresh vodka-approximately a centimeter in the bottom of a shot glass. I nearly died. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I am pretty sure actual flames leapt from my nostrils. I could feel the centimeter of vodka in the bottom of my stomach for the next hour-even after cookies and pears. Note to self. But hey, I had to try it, its part of the Armenian experince for sure.

Now as I am just beginning to fully settle in here, I am leaving. On Friday, with any luck, and pending approval from my Program manager, I am headed to Sevan for a little R and R before heading to Tatev on Sunday. I will be observing the last session of Eco-camps for the summer in preparation for my role with the program next year. Having never been to Tatev, I don’t know what the internet situation is like, so you probably won’t here from for a bit. I have really been enjoying hearing from all of you and promise I will return more emails soon. Life is slower in Vayk and more relaxed, so once I get back from Tatev I should have some more time. Until then, hope all is well stateside!

The last PST entry

The moon is pretty tonight. I have completed the requisite packing of my belongings into giant suitcases, drank wine and toasted with the neighbors, and now I am completing my evening routine for the final time in Margohovit. I am eager to move on and yet I will miss this place and the meaning it holds for this strange and exciting chapter of my life. One hurdle is complete and I can only imagine what lies ahead for me in this crazy country.

I take a few moments to reflect on the experiences of the past week-a fairly representative anecdotal account of my Armenian experience as a whole:
· The centipede that crawled into the shower with me this morning.
· Getting up early to handwash my clothes in the dark because the power was out, and then hanging them on the line only to get rained on…second rinse cycle.
· My host mother taking a break from chopping peaches to scratch her head with the tip of her knife, the same knife that gets wielded around wildly, pointed at people, used to scratch someone’s leg, and so on…knife safety? Food safety? Bah.
· Walking to Hasmik’s house to find my host father, the village mayor and a Peace Corps vehicle in the intersection by her house. To this day nobody knows what the Peace Corps vehicle was doing there. I asked my host father if it was a PC vehicle. He said yes. I asked why it was here. He and the mayor laughed. I left.
· Cleaning my fingernails after eating sunflower seeds with the neighbors. They are practically the national snack, and if you ask me, more of an event than a food item.
· Listening to 50 cent for the hundredth time….the things you never expected to hear in the Peace Corps.

The list goes on...perhaps I can continue to ennumerate at a later date. For now, suffice it to say that one chapter is closing as another begines. I am ready to start a new life in Armenia and excited about what is in store for me.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

PST 12

As I watch Tina dance with her father and her cousin at her birthday party, I am reminded of the things that I love about the Armenian culture: the strong familial bonds, the fierce pride and stubborn dignity, the affection children show for their parents, even as teenagers. It is a vivid reminder of the place I really am, even in the world of degenerate housing meets MTV. The underlying strength of this country rests with its people and I firmly believe that they will achieve success. And that is what we are here to help them do.

In the midst of PST craziness it is easy to forget where I really am and why I am truly here. Right now I am living like an American in an Armenian village. This is PST dictated: hours and hours of classes, session after session on central day, projects, tests, homework and presentations. In order to succeed, we have to rely on American values of multi-tasking, efficiency and priority. But, in order to be successful in Armenia we have to be able to balance this American whirlwind with the slower paced, more social atmosphere of Armenia. Yeah, we’ll have our meeting, but first we’ll have coffee and chocolate and talk about the neighbors. The ability to act like an Armenian in Armenia will help narrow the dichotomy of cultures.

Peace Corps in itself is an experience that will probably never be duplicated or mimicked, that I could never have totally prepared myself for, and will keep me guessing for the next two years. My struggles for the past few weeks, well, 9 weeks to be exact, have taken the form of a rite of passage—one that will continue on with me during my next months and years as a volunteer. It is my sense that the Peace Corps experience contains a number of these rites of passage, one being PST in itself. The training has tested my limits in a number of ways and created growth on many planes. I am sure this is of purposeful design, intended to push the envelope and stimulate reflection and introspection towards two years of service and the commitment that entails.

I have done my share of the former and feel renewed confidence in my abilities and priorities while here. Meanwhile, our group members are dropping like flies: we are now up to four early terminations. All have their reasons; PC wasn’t right for them for one reason or another. Watching members of your group leave is difficult, regardless of the reason and has provided plenty of opportunity to reflect on my own commitment and fortitude.

I have found both to be strong, although tested at times. I am grateful to my host family for opening their home to me and taking good care of me while I am here, but I am ready to move along. It is comforting to know, however, that I am not simply being an oversensitive American—many of the Armenian staff members are in agreement that this is a bit extreme. I was actually rewarded today for being “the most patient trainee with my host family,” by the very Armenian who was there to witness me break down in tears over my stress levels last week. Although my stress came from many different sources, my host family ended up with most of the blame due to the fact that they are where I go at the end of the day. And, at the end of this particular central day, I simply couldn’t face the idea of going home to be on display any longer. The wonderful PST staff helped to temper my family’s interactions with me and I am doing my best to remain patient and enjoy the good aspects of my family for the next week and two days (not that I’m counting).

8-09

Today I am enjoying a tremendous sense of relief after completed both my Community Project and my LPI. They both went well, which was especially surprising regarding the community project. I honestly thought that our village was doomed to failure, or at the very least mediocrity. To my surprise (and relief) it was a smashing success. And, much to my dismay, I actually learned quite a bit and can see the underlying benefit of such a torture device. I hate it when that happens! Because our village is all EE volunteers with the exception of one TEFL (our other TEFL ET’d) we decided to do a follow up on our EE lessons that we had done earlier in the summer. We invited a bunch of kinds (nearly 30 showed up—one of the pleasant surprises of the day) and sent them on a scavenger hunt for trash in the village. We had devised a fairly comprehensive list, including a show, piping, a battery, glass and plastic bottles, tin and aluminum cans, items of clothing, food, cigarettes, etc. The kids were totally into it and nearly raced out of the building. They were only allowed to pick up trash from nature and the streets, and I think they ALL managed to find everything on their list, which was quite a testament to the condition of the streams and streets in the village. When the kids returned we talked about each item they collected and how long it takes to decompose, then hey drew pictures about what they learned and made a big poster.

While this is a fairly simple and common lesson in the US, I think it was groundbreaking here. They just don’t have education about the environment and don’t know any better. The kids really enjoyed the lesson and hopefully they will think about other things they can do with their trash instead of throwing it in the river or the streets. Unfortunately, the only options Margohovit currently has are the river, or burning it. People say there is a “landfill” but we have yet to see such a thing. We have, however, seen (and smelled) lots of piles of burning trash and the piles of garbage on the river banks. We have been told that “it is okay because it goes to Azerbaijan.” Hopefully we can begin to instill some environmental values and knowledge that will eventually lead to action….

My LPI was this afternoon, and I really think it well this time (as opposed to last time where I managed to forget everything, including my sisters name…). I don’t know my score yet, but I think I did nearly as well as I could have, so I am happy. Now we have a few central days of wrap-up, a ceremony for our host families, and it is on to bigger and better things! There are things I will miss about PST, but the for the most part, I am ready to move on.

Friday, August 05, 2005

PST 11

I lied, I made it to the internet today instead of next week...enjoy!

I can the whispers before I round the bend…. “Jeeluh, jeeluh” (Jill is coming), and the children momentarily stop all of their important playing on the broken down farm machinery to congregate in front of the wagon. As I come around the corner they are assembled in straight lines, bright smiles on their faces, and in unison “barev jeel, vonts ek?” (hello jill, how are you). I answer that “I am well thanks, and how are you?” To which they take their cue to EACH ask me individually how I am doing. I answer as many of them as I can while I walk and when I am almost out of sight, wave and say goodbye. As this is a daily occurrence, and while endearing, could take my entire day if I were to stick around and greet every child individually, each and every day. It is a small joy in my day to see the children, in an otherwise trying phase of my training and time in Armenia.

It seems that the longer I am here the more often I am reminded that I am here, in a place where nothing can be done simply, easily or quickly, and is often wrought with fraud or at the very least, backwards thinking. That is the thing about this country—it carries a façade of being more developed and forward than it actually is. This is in part due to the fact that it was once a developed nation (with the help of the soviet union). Now with the soviet collapse and the help of a disastrous earthquake, it is a developing nation, with a long way to go. This façade is illustrated beautifully by daily scenes of BMW SUV’s passing pig farmers, the influx of western media to the country and the European feel of the capitol city. Meanwhile, there are villages that remain veritable shanty towns from the earthquake destruction, and there are major social issues that the country is facing. Issues that seemingly don’t belong in this country on the verge of modern civilization and yet are widespread and largely not attended to for one reason or another—mainly financial.

I think the most frustrating thing I am going to encounter is the inability on the part of Armenians to recognize the potential solutions to their problems. They see the need for change but often do not accept a solution unless it is a proven success (which often can’t be proven until it is actually done…). Much of this is due to the Soviet mentality and teaching methods in the schools. People here are used to being given what they need and told how to think. In many ways, although they appreciate their newfound freedom and the idea of democracy, they are still stuck in this mentality. Concepts such as personal responsibility for village streets, trees or trash are virtually non-existent. The people recognize that there is a problem, but don’t identify it as being their problem: it is someone else’e job to fix it. This is a large part of our job as PCV’s--to bring new ideas and then to somehow convince the Armenians to change their thinking long enough to try something new. It is truly a grassroots effort, starting at the village level. This is also what separates PC from other forms of aid and NGO’s that are established in Armenia—the majority of these are concentrated in Yerevan, and although they are doing great work, the people in the villages (who need aid the most) often never see it. Armenia is actually currently the recipient of one of the highest amounts of per capita foreign aid from the US in the world, and is hosting such organizations as USAID, USDA, WWF, Heifer Project, Habitat for Humanity, Unite for Sight, as well as many others from the US, Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Norway, Canada and so on. It also receives a large amount of monetary aid from diaspora (mainly people who fled the country during times of persecution and are now permanently living abroad). There are many more Armenian Diaspora than there are people currently living in Armenia. This is exacerbated by the lack of jobs of Armenia—there is also a large number of men who work outside of the country (mostly in Russia, but also the US and Europe for the majority of the year.

We have met representatives from many of these organizations in our endeavors these past eight weeks and have learned quite a bit about what is going on this country. Still, the amount of information coming in right now is obscene, especially with language training on top of it all. I have been studying Armenian for 8 weeks and can actually form complex sentences in past, present perfect, present, future (2 different kinds), imperative and subjunctive conjugations. I am impressed, and overwhelmed. Our first (official) Language Proficiency exam is next week already—this is where all the work for the past two months will be evaluated and recorded for posterity. Yikes!

Last Thursday I got a detailed reminder on the subject of my location. I started my day by receiving a package…without its contents. The Peace Corps was very helpful in the matter, but certainly not very enthusiastic about the possible outcome—I learned why soon enough. The PC logistics coordinator drove me to the post office, where they were very kind and helpful in telling us that we needed to go to the other post office. The other post office was equally kind and helpful in telling us the person we needed was not there, but worked in the main office. By the time we made it to the main office the man that we needed to talk to (who was very busy doing his crossword puzzle) told us that there was nothing he could do…because the package was sent in an envelope. Apparently, according to some strange logic, because it is in an envelope it is a letter, and so it is okay to open it. He is very sorry. But next time, it would be better if it was sent in a box. Note to self. Although this was probably not a huge monetary loss, it was the principle of the matter, combined with the sentimental value of the package that made it very upsetting. Especially when the Armenians shrug their shoulders and say “this happens.” Of course, they also say “not as much as it used to,” which, I guess is comforting…

Add to this the fact that I managed to accidentally delete about 50 songs from my iPod thanks to apple’s ingenious piracy protection, and I can’t get them back until I connect my computer to the internet to register it with iTunes. This is one of those things that sounds a lot easier than it really is. Just hook up to the internet…simple. So, another learning about Armenia: The first time you try to fix a problem and it doesn’t work, you still have hope. The second time, you are frustrated. The third time, downright pissed…”can I get ANYTHING done in this country??” The fourth time, you just shrug your shoulders and ask “why should it be any different this time?” The firfth time…well, I tell you after I ehar back from itunes tech support. I have a strange feeling that this problem won’t be fixed for quite some time. Sigh.

On a lighter note, we just returned from an all EE camping trip to Arpi Leech (Lake) in the Northwest section of the country. For those of you with access to a map it is north of Gyumri and close enough to the border to see both Turkey and Georgia from the tops of the peaks (a short climb form the lake, which is already high in altitude). All in all a nice destination, but truly Armenian in that the scenery was beautiful, but the lake was heavily polluted and there was quite a bit of grazing and misuse of resources. The island in the lake is supposedly a breeding ground for the endangered Dalmatian Pelican, but all we were able to see was a swirling mass of seagulls. A big mass. Regardless, it was a good weekend, and nice to be sleeping outside again under the canopy of stars, which as nothing short of amazing. One type of pollution that doesn’t exist in the majority of Armenia is light pollution, and on clear nights, the skies are mesmerizing. It was also nice to meet the other EE volunteers currently in country and talk about their projects, trials, tribulations and successes.

Actually, we got to bond with them a little too intimately during the obligatory marshrutni adventure. So, just to refresh your memories, marshurtnies are basically minivans, that have been retrofitted with bench seats close enough together to seat 15. They are little longer than our minivans, but certainly not anywhere near as large as a fifteen passenger van. 15 people is already what you might call a bonding experience, especially if anyone is especially large, or hasn’t showered recently (a common problem with riding public marshrutnies….). So, here is today’s quiz: How do you fit 19 people, 19 packs, several tents, a few miscellaneous sleeping bags, a cook stove, a PC water filter (large white bucket like contraption) and a watermelon in one marshrutni? Well, since you asked….you start at the back—4 people sit in the back row and then you pass back as many packs and bag as they can fit under their seat, at their feet, and in their laps. Then you fill the next row, placing a small wooden bench in what used to be the aisle, thus permanently trapping the people in the back row. I got to sit on this small wooden bench with another male volunteer. Fortunately, we were so packed in that the bumping and lurching of the marhsutni resulted in little to no movement of the small bench. Similarly, you pass as many packs and bags into this row as possible. The next row is filled in similar fashion, only there is no small bench for the aisle, so you pile up packs and bags high enough to form a seat. The front row seats as many as possible, and the driver and two more sit in the very front.

Now this, is a clown car. I took pictures, but it just doesn’t do it justice…. The funny thing is, although entertaining, it really doesn’t faze me as much as it probably should. It is simply another part of life in Armenia. Traveling is not simply a means of getting from here to there, it is a complete choose your own adventure novel, replete with suspense, drama, and plot twists.

Thursday, August 04, 2005

A not very exciting post

Hello all,
I have managed in my current frenzy to leave the nice long post I recently typed at home. The next time I will be in vanadzor will be next week after community projects and Language proficiency exams are over. I can't wait!!! Less than a week and a half at this point until PST is complete and we move to our new site. Times have been trying, but the end is in sight and I am excited about the prospects of Vayk and the potential to do good work while I am there. Thank you all for all of your support and encouragement along the way--it means a lot. And I promise, I will write you all back when things settle down (If I haven't already).

A big thanks to my techno savvy father for posting these lovely pictures of Armenia for you all to see. I am still working on getting the captions right, but basically if it is lush and green it is Margohovit, and if it is desert like, it is Vayk. I will have him post some more pictures later on, but these should give you an idea of where I am right now, at least terms of the nature, which is beautiful! The cities and towns sometimes leave a bit to be desired....

More news to come later. Have a great week!

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Pictures II




Top: my street in margohovit

Middle: another street in margohovit--the dirt piles are the way they "fix the roads" Men have been working for weeks to fill in the holes with new dirt, and the first time it rained the streets were full of ruts again....

Bottom: One of the main highways on the way from Yerevan to vanadzor

Pictures


The infamous truck

Welcome
to Vayk

Vayk Mts

Margohovit
wild flowers
Margohovit village gardens

Historic
Zvartnots
Temple with
Mt. Ararat
in background

Margohovit wild flowers

Margohovit
Village

Historic Zvartnots
Temple