A Breath of Fresh Air
After a week in Yerevan, I am learning more and more about every day life in Armenia. From the street names, to the diasporan clubs, to the food, and the people. If you want an ice cream, stop by the nearest tamara ice cream vendor. For the best lamaghoon go to Mer Tagh on Tumanian Street. If you want to run into half of the Armenian diasporan youth population just roll up to Cheers Disco/Bar at night. All of these things were easy to pick up on. On the otherhand the people of Yerevan took some getting to know and understand. The first couple of days I thought I had a permanent piece of spinach stuck in my teeth after recieving awkward looks from locals. I kept asking myself, “How do they know I am not from here?” It’s like I have a big sign on my forehead that writes, “Yes Amerika-Hay em”. I felt nervous to ask locals questions in fear that they would not understand my Armenian. I began feeling slightly discouraged from the stares and whispers of locals. I felt this way until last Monday when I recieved a breath of fresh air. My roommates, Sarah, Alene, Adrianne, and I decided to go to the supermarket to buy food for our apartment. SAS Market on Tumanian was our market of choice since Europa Market’s employees seemed to follow us around the store. As we filled our shopping cart to the brim with produce we stopped by the deli counter to pick up some salami and baneer. After all the one food we can count on as Armenians is baneer and hatz. At the counter were two young girls dressed in bright orange SAS employee shirts. They helped us with smiles on their faces and were eager to find out where we are from. Their enthusiasm and interest in our mission to Armenia filled me with a new hope. They made us all feel welcome with their hospitality and cheerfulness. I dedicate this blog to those two girls who made my day and for their advice on how to choose milk with russian labels.
July 1st, 2007 at 11:35 am
Amazing what a simple smile can accomplish in making us feel better!
What were the customer service people’s names?
Keep having a great time in Armenia!!
July 3rd, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Hi Lena
Wow. Nice story and good to know you are getting acclimated in Armenia. It appears you are adjusting well! I love you and love the way you are so candid and free spirited. Enjoy your stay. I’ve heard the Arsak (sp?) soccer story (The interns and pilgrammage playing soccer with young locals) and I thought that is my beautiful Lena - Great idea girlfriend
! Your always so smart. What a way to get to know the local Armenians. I love it!
Hey, get Vaughn to write a blog. Sheez!
Love ya,
Auntie Seta
July 5th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Lena jan-what a lovely experience. Keep writing to us; as I told Sarah, these memorable stories you write are priceless to us, your parents and friends. Have fun and enjoy your time in beautiful Yerevan. Bachigner and give Sarah shad shad bachigner from me, Seta
July 9th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Hi Lenajiges,
Daddy and I love you sooo much. We are enjoying our 25th wedding anniversary vicariously through your visit to Armenia. We are so glad you are sharing your God given gifts and talents with your own people in our motherland. We are so happy that you are experiencing life to its fullest by sharing all the blessings with others. We are especially thankful that you have such a wonderful group of young Christian Armenian American women and men there with you on this soulfull mission. Give our hugs and kisses to Vaughn and Sarah and Mike and Alene as you continue on your internships. Take pictures and more blogs so these times will be forever imprinted as wonderful memories. Keep me posted on how your Cinderella play is progressing. Take pictures of your cast with you and your co-producer. Love you janig!!
July 13th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Hi Princess,
I missed you so much…Happy Birthday to me (I turned 21 today). Light a candle at Etchmiadzin for me. We all miss your singing, dancing and your smiling face. I was so touched with your story and I am sure it will much more touching if I actually read it..ha ha!! Just kidding love….Have a good time and enjoy all your friends and experiences. Keep putting smiles on the young Armenian faces. Cannot wait to see you again. Kiss my favorite nephew for me and tell him I was touched by his blog also. Please keep a journal of these great memories, feelings and moments (Mom is sitting next to me and coaching me to write that last line). She is so La Di Da…By the way you are Ameriga-Hye. Love you always…..Your Daddy.