7/21 - Garni & Geghard

It’s about 2:30 in the afternoon here. I have a break between classes (language was 9:00am – 12:30pm and we have technical training from 3:30pm – 5:00pm). Yesterday I got an internet modem and I’m just so excited about it. I’ve spent this break time catching up on emails, Facebook, and general interwebz nonsense. I figured it was also a good time to update le blog.

We’re over halfway through PST. It’s a crazy, crazy feeling. In less than a month I’ll be living in my new village! Since my last update here, I have met/talked to some A18ers who live nearby my permanent site. They’ve both been very nice and reassuring about my concerns. No sugar-coating though, which is great. With the little time left in PST, with all the A19ers close together, I’m trying to be as social as possible. Yes, this may just make the transition harder, but at least I’ll have fond memories to look back on and stronger friendships to call on during those rough times. 

Aside from thinking too much about everything, I have been doing a lot too…

Our most recent trip was a cultural excursion to Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery. Both are located in Kotayk Marz, but towards the southern end. Briefly, both are beautiful sites of ancient ruins. I’m sure if I had paid attention to our LCFs’ (Language & Culture Facilitator) spiel, I would’ve learned more about the actual history of these sites. But here’s what I gathered on my own. Garni Temple was part of what used to be a large summer home/estate. The temple is all that remains. The outside is just huge columns on all four sides and it overlooks a gorgeous gorge with a river running through it. There wasn’t much to the inside of the temple; it was pretty much just a room. Geghard Monastery was BEEEAUTIFUL—both the scenery and the monastery itself. The whole thing was built into a mountain side/rock. I was amazed at how many different rooms/chambers there were. My favorite bit was one room with super high ceilings, all arched. It had the most amazing acoustics. One of the LCFs sang some traditional Armenian songs. Her voice blew me away. A few of the trainees sang as well, including a rendition of “Amazing Grace,” “Ave Maria,” and “All You Need is Լավ” (Լավ is pronounced “lav” … bilingually punny!) All in all, the monastery was just incredible. I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen something so old.

Also recently have been lots of birthday celebrations. It was my host mother’s and grandmother’s last week, as well as my biological mother’s and grandfather’s, and a few trainees. Celebrations were had for all. I even managed to consume two խորոված (khorovats—barbeque) in one day! If somebody could please send a medal for this feat, I’d greatly appreciate it.

That’s about it for now … I need to get mentally prepared for the tech session. Next week we’re starting our Practicum. In other words, we’ll be practice teaching with real, live Armenian children. It should be interesting, that’s for sure! From the sounds of it, it’ll be 2-3 weeks similar to my student teaching experience – but every day is an observation! After that, we’re finished PST! On that note, please do not send any mail until I have my new, permanent address. Letters take about 2 weeks to send and packages 3 weeks, so if you send anything now it’s possible I won’t get it (or, I won’t get it for months). Now that I have internet though, I should be in touch more … hopefully!