I still don't have my own internet modem, so it's tough. I don't like mooching off my friends' modems. Plus, it's kind of nice to not have internet on a regular basis. It's been very refreshing, surprisingly. That being said, a lot has happened in the past three weeks or so! I'll try to hit the highlights, I guess.
Most of the time lately has been just regular village life. Language classes in the morning, Technical Training most afternoons, and just relaxation otherwise.
We've gone to Yerevan twice as a group now. The first time, about half the A19ers went to take some impromptu traditional Armenian dance lessons. They were held in this gorgeous open-air square, right in front of a museum/monument situation. It was called The Cascade, for the hundreds of steps on this monument. We "climbed" up to the top, which had a great view of the city and Mt. Ararat in the background. Absolutely stunning. The dancing was so fun too. The steps reminded me a bit of country line dancing, except in a circle. Plus, you hold pinkies/hands/shoulders with the complete strangers next to you. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. A lot of current PCVs attended too, some we hadn't met yet. Of course, they are all super nice and excited to meet us.
The second time we went to Yerevan (last Friday) was more Peace Corps-sponsored. We toured the main PC office, which is super nice. They have a resource center for volunteers which includes a decent library, showers, computers, among other things. Then they took us to various cultural spots around Yerevan. I opted to go to the Genocide Memorial/Museum. It certainly wasn't the most enjoyable place to visit, but I am SO glad I got to go. It was towards the top of my list anyway, so I was very happy to see that PC had arranged for us to visit. It was very, very moving. Later, we had a free afternoon. A bunch of us went to a Mexican restaurant. It was a little pricey, but mostly worth it. A nice taste of "home." Afterwards, I wandered around the Republic Square (center area of Yerevan) with another Trainee. Yerevan is a beautiful city. It's pretty European in layout and architecture, but with some non-European influences. All in all, it was a nice day. Too bad I forgot my camera's memory card at home.
The only other MAJOR thing to happen recently is 4th of July! I was a little uneasy about this holiday. Usually I'm at camp, planning some ridiculous theme day involving Independence Day (yes, the Will Smith movie) speeches or bizarre pool relays. Not to mention Rock Hall firework displays. PC gave each village 10,000 dram to spend on things for a 4th of July party. We couldn't spend the money on food, but that didn't stop us from spending our own on ingredients for a pot luck dinner! We decided to each bring a dish (or two, in some cases) and invite all our immediate families. I made a sweet Amerikatsi playlist, including the "Star Spangled Banner" (which we sang along with, awfully). A big part of Armenian parties is dancing, so of course all our family members asked about American dances. We didn't have the Cha Cha or Electric Slide, or any other ridiculous line dances, so my friend Trent and I ended up doing a little two step demonstration. It was good... enough... I guess. :) After the dinner, we went to the big open field to play some sports with the local kids. A LOT showed up, surprisingly! And a double rainbow showed up! At the end of the day, us Amerikatsiner gathered at Trent's house for some good ol' Amerikatsi celebration. We chatted a lot, which was much needed and so much fun. I'd say the only thing missing from our 4th celebration was fireworks. C'est la vie. Or, in Armenian, vochinch!
That's about it, I think. Everything is great with my family and village mates. Tomorrow is a HUGE day. One of the two biggest days during training, for sure -- it's site announcement day! We're going back into our central school location. We have a few sessions in the morning, then from 2:15-2:45 we find out where we'll live for the next two years! Am I nervous? Excited? Very much both -- I'm very, very anxious. Hopefully I'll be able to post the results soon... if not, call/email/Facebook my parents! :)
Until next time...!
Most of the time lately has been just regular village life. Language classes in the morning, Technical Training most afternoons, and just relaxation otherwise.
We've gone to Yerevan twice as a group now. The first time, about half the A19ers went to take some impromptu traditional Armenian dance lessons. They were held in this gorgeous open-air square, right in front of a museum/monument situation. It was called The Cascade, for the hundreds of steps on this monument. We "climbed" up to the top, which had a great view of the city and Mt. Ararat in the background. Absolutely stunning. The dancing was so fun too. The steps reminded me a bit of country line dancing, except in a circle. Plus, you hold pinkies/hands/shoulders with the complete strangers next to you. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. A lot of current PCVs attended too, some we hadn't met yet. Of course, they are all super nice and excited to meet us.
The second time we went to Yerevan (last Friday) was more Peace Corps-sponsored. We toured the main PC office, which is super nice. They have a resource center for volunteers which includes a decent library, showers, computers, among other things. Then they took us to various cultural spots around Yerevan. I opted to go to the Genocide Memorial/Museum. It certainly wasn't the most enjoyable place to visit, but I am SO glad I got to go. It was towards the top of my list anyway, so I was very happy to see that PC had arranged for us to visit. It was very, very moving. Later, we had a free afternoon. A bunch of us went to a Mexican restaurant. It was a little pricey, but mostly worth it. A nice taste of "home." Afterwards, I wandered around the Republic Square (center area of Yerevan) with another Trainee. Yerevan is a beautiful city. It's pretty European in layout and architecture, but with some non-European influences. All in all, it was a nice day. Too bad I forgot my camera's memory card at home.
The only other MAJOR thing to happen recently is 4th of July! I was a little uneasy about this holiday. Usually I'm at camp, planning some ridiculous theme day involving Independence Day (yes, the Will Smith movie) speeches or bizarre pool relays. Not to mention Rock Hall firework displays. PC gave each village 10,000 dram to spend on things for a 4th of July party. We couldn't spend the money on food, but that didn't stop us from spending our own on ingredients for a pot luck dinner! We decided to each bring a dish (or two, in some cases) and invite all our immediate families. I made a sweet Amerikatsi playlist, including the "Star Spangled Banner" (which we sang along with, awfully). A big part of Armenian parties is dancing, so of course all our family members asked about American dances. We didn't have the Cha Cha or Electric Slide, or any other ridiculous line dances, so my friend Trent and I ended up doing a little two step demonstration. It was good... enough... I guess. :) After the dinner, we went to the big open field to play some sports with the local kids. A LOT showed up, surprisingly! And a double rainbow showed up! At the end of the day, us Amerikatsiner gathered at Trent's house for some good ol' Amerikatsi celebration. We chatted a lot, which was much needed and so much fun. I'd say the only thing missing from our 4th celebration was fireworks. C'est la vie. Or, in Armenian, vochinch!
That's about it, I think. Everything is great with my family and village mates. Tomorrow is a HUGE day. One of the two biggest days during training, for sure -- it's site announcement day! We're going back into our central school location. We have a few sessions in the morning, then from 2:15-2:45 we find out where we'll live for the next two years! Am I nervous? Excited? Very much both -- I'm very, very anxious. Hopefully I'll be able to post the results soon... if not, call/email/Facebook my parents! :)
Until next time...!
I wish I could have seen your dance demo! I'm sure it was fantastic. :) And EXCITING the announcement has to be soon by my calculations...I hope you will love it!! DOUBLE RAINBOW! Miss you :) It sounds like you are having fun and I am glad. :) Okay enough ! and :) KBYE
ReplyDelete<*3
I was just about to ask who wrote that, Anonymous, but then I noticed the <*3. Thanks for reading, lovey!
ReplyDeleteSeems to be "super nice". I'm learning lots about Armenia from looking up things you've mentioned, thanks.
ReplyDeleteDear <*3, if you want to see Kelsey dancing there, below is the video link to the taped Armenian dancing that was done on June 24 at The Cascade, the open air square or street in Yerevan. There are some PCVs there, either dancing or watching. (I am the small boy with striped green & white shirt in the YouTube video):
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/user/lilitmarkosian
Or:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjSK2e7MhXg&feature=player_embedded
Link to this video for sharing:
http://youtu.be/qjSK2e7MhXg
Anonymous... who ARE you? I actually have a similar video, but from the other end of the line. Perhaps you're in it?!
ReplyDelete