Hajort Gayarane, WASHINGTON DC!

Privyet from Moscow - Whoa, time has flown. I’ve been here for 3.5 months, and it feels like I arrived 2 weeks ago – even though so much has happened. I’ve moved into an apartment [with Malte, volunteer from Bremen, Germany] very close to the city center, which has been a huge blessing (…Although the police have a pleasant habit of yelling into their megaphones at all hours of the day and night. What they yell is absolutely incomprehensible, although I’ve heard that they just yell to their other police car buddies. A great use of time and energy, I would say.)

Demirchyan poghots on a snowy morning.

I can’t believe I’m sitting in Moscow right now. It is damn expensive – I paid $14 for a fruit cup, a bottle of fizzy water, and a muffin. About a month ago, I was super excited to be going home. Nonetheless, I am still über excited; however, I know returning to Hayastan will be just as fun! My first impressions of the Armenian people weren’t exactly stellar, but things have really changed over the last few weeks. I’ve made friends with the nice lady in the bakery down the street, and I’ve exchanged glares with the security guards by the Greek consulate. Even some of the sellers at Venissage have taken me under their wing, welcoming my weekly visits and recalling some of the minutest details from our past conversations. I love being in Armenia – not only for Mount Ararat and the rest of my historical homeland, but also for the people in Birthright Armenia, local Yerevancis, and beloved marshrutka drivers.

Working with my B1 German students on their CVs

I was on Armenian TV a few days ago, where I was asked the question – “what is your general impression of Yerevan?” I responded quickly, telling the journalist that there was not one specific reason that I love Armenia, it is simply home. I was of course proud to flex my Western Armenian language skills, but more important, the message I communicated. Because the answer had been so spontaneous, I thought more about the conversation later, coming to the realization that I love my homeland and my inner nationalistic pride is starting to show itself ;-)

 Watch from minute 34 to witness some Depi Hayk glory!

My last few weeks have been spent wrapping up a German unit, decorating the Birthright Armenia Christmas tree, and working on BR’s eco-friendly recycled Christmas tree. Our recycled Christmas tree is made of cut up water bottles. It may sound simple, but it was quite the opposite. I spent 2 consecutive days cutting water bottles into spirals, which I would then weave into giant balls. My thumb is still sore 3 days later from the scissors, which have practically created a new knob in my thumb. Ach, übrigens – es gibt nen Weihnachtsmarkt in Eriwan! Er ist eigentlich der erste Weihnachtsmarkt Armeniens, aber ist ja schon cool. Nur 16 Buden, aber das Gefühl ist trotzdem nett. 

This picture doesn't capture how numb my thumb is.

I'll miss you all in Yerevan for the 2 weeks I'm gone. Hopefully I'll eat my body weight in Thai food, spend time with family and friends, and update my winter clothing collection. I miss real napkins, hot showers, my parrot, civilized behavior in supermarkets, and Asian food. Stay classy, EPEBAH!