Day 7

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Sam here...Today was an off day, but I should say something about the previous night first. After the ballet the kids hooked up with some Armenian kids they met at the work site and went out on the town. The traveled up the city mountainside to a sports area where the local youthizens had organized an outdoor dance party. I will let the kids expand on this but they had a Russian DJ who played Russian and Armenian techno music. Sounds like they had a blast. Stu says he had to fend off some very friendly Armenian men from Wren (one pronounced is his love for her)...what a nice brother.

One nice thing about this city and apparently everywhere in the country is that it is so safe. Tables with street goods on them are left unattended; construction sites have all their tools, tiles, wheelbarrows left out next to a busy sidewalk with nobody there, people walk around late at night; despite the presence of police cars you almost never hear a siren. While there are a few beggars there doesn't appear to be any real creepy people who make you uncomfortable. Also interesting is the amount of eye contact. Men and women will hold your eye until you pass them by, but without any outward layers of judgement (flirtation, repulsion, snobishness). I find it very attractive.

So, anyway today .... One group went to visit several local ancient churches in town. At least one of which was in service (almost all churches are Armenian Orthodox, and have their own set of creeds, icons, service styles, and cool black robes), sounded like a good experience as they had a local gal named Ani who spoke English well and knew the history. Hopefully someone can fill in the blanks here that I left out.

I visited with Jennifer Lyman and Karen Aghababyan at the American University of Armenian along with Mark Kolashian of the National Academy in the morning. We talked about the possibility of developing a cooperative bee taxonomic/inventory project. All things looked favorable and I will be talking with my colleagues in North American about that when I get back. I have done some bee collecting on the trip and while minor I have been impressed by the variety even in the human altered habitats we have visited. The depth of biodiversity in this country is remarkable considering its small size (Maryland).

I took the metro (cost about 10 cents) back from the University and joined the group at the local Sunday market. It was primarily a place for tools, art, and parts for things. I bought Kappy an anniversary present but can't say any more....

I saw a thermometer at the market and it was 100F in the shade. Not too bad because of the low humidity, but magnified by the amount of cement, lack of wind, and lack of shade. Most of us crashed in the hotel for the rest of the afternoon.

We went to a restaurant near the square and had some decent but fairly Cosmopolitan food ... a bit too much smoke for most of us. Smoking is everywhere, and I was told today that most Armenian men wouldn't have anything to do if they couldn't smoke or drink coffee. Another interesting thing about Armenian men is they never where shorts and have a fondness for pointy-toed shoes.

That's it for today....tomorrow its back to the bucket line.

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Photos

Tool Parts at the Bazaar
Interesting assortment of machine parts, medical tools, tools of all kinds, electronics (mostly of the transistor era), plumbing, almost all used

Chemicals for Sale
Yes, you can get almost anything you want at the bazaar.

Stuart and Sam's Room at the Shirat
I fit in the bed while on my back but not my stomach!

Typical Behind the Building Scene
Behind the tall buildings of the city are all sorts of grape arbors, fruit trees, work sites, and mysterious buildings

The Blue Mosque
The only mosque in town is behind Stuart who is hanging out the 13th floor balcony of our apartment

Comments

[Romey]

Go Big Brother Stuart!
Nice to have a brother to look out for you, eh, Wren? I'd love to hear more about the party. So cool that you get to go out with local folks. How's everyone's health? -- heat plus the trots plus cement hauling has got to be pretty grueling. Let's hear more from the rest of y'all...Fun to get different perspectives. Romey

[Kappy Laning]

thank you!
hello all, especially to Sam as we celebrate our 5th anniversary from across the world...I got caught up on all your pictures today..they are so great! its still very hot here...I'm working on camp stuff today, love, kappy

[Sara]

haha Wren
Wren! Why didn't you take him up on his profession of love? It would make your trip more authentic, lol.

[Steuart P Jr.]

Dudes!
Wow. That's all I can say. What a place to be. Y'all make the world seem like a community. Hey Steuart, you write good! Cookout tonight at Bobby and Tooey's. I guess y'all won't make it this time.

[Niel Rosen]

Happy Birthday Izzy!
I wish I was there with you!! We'll celebrate when you get home, too. Love, Dad