http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Asia , Armenia en-us Thu, 15 May 2008 15:51:40 BST Thu, 15 May 2008 15:51:40 BST 3rd and final test blog http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/South/blog-269175.html Today was the day our travels diverged somewhat from our original itinerary.So impressed by Koh Muk we had made the call the previous day to forget the mainland and island hop our way up to Phuket. First stop Koh Lanta. There were two ways that we could do this a speed boat 700 baht 11am or b ferry 450 baht 1pm. Obviously with no time constraints we picked option b. In hindsight one http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/South/blog-247867.html S gr flyet snart. Jeg vil lige tjekke om det hele fungere som det skal s dette er bare lige en tester inden det gr ls. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/South/Kapan/blog-243181.html Armenia an Ancient CivilizationArmenia an ancient civilization a rich history a unique language a small population a country nestled between mountains bordering the giants of Turkey and Iran as well as the small states of Central Caucasus. Amazingly due to my work in an international organization I had the opportunity to work with several Armenians and I was curious to see what the http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/blog-239757.html On my day I visited two rural communities in the Sisian region of Armenia Tolors and Akhlatyan as they celebrated the openings of their renovated health posts done with the help of our project.So I cut the ribbons at both health posts gave some speeches kissed babies was interviewed on Armenian television etc. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-229312.html On Saturday I went to the large bazaar with a colleague from work. Everything you can imagine from single beaters to plug into your handheld mixer auto parts beautiful rugs and needlework bootleg CDs etc. and you name it and it was there. But the highlight of the evening was yet to come. I went with one of my Armenian colleagues to a birthday party. Originally I thought we were going to a ja http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-225109.html First today is 1989 throwback day in Armenia. And I don't mean theyare wearing throwback jerseys. For the upcoming election I think itis in January or February one of the candidates was president back in1989. As a protest against him by the other candidate who must stillbe in government Armenians do not have heating oil today. A littlereminder of what life was like back during this guy's te http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-219873.html Bon appenutin'So today here in the land of Armenia Bossman Tikki Tikki Timbosicked out on work. Well actually his luggage was going to arrivethis morning so he stayed at the hotel. Considering it is now almost2pm I think he should have rolled into the office by now. But I'llkeep that to myself. Actually no I'll share that with you.Tikki and I are sitting with the Healthcare Finance Team w http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-219872.html Armenia is nice but I have absolutely zero interesting things toconvey. The airport was shiny and new but leaving I saw the oldSoviet one which was crumbling and in disrepair. It looked like aflying saucer I think it may have been cutting edge when it wasbuilt. No scary men with guns no creepy dark rooms or anything.I walked around this morning before meeting the boss of the projecthere R. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-219871.html This will be the last blog before Tom and I return to Montana Dec. 1. Fall is definitely here in Yerevan. The street vendors selling fruits and vegetables have switched from beautiful heaps of tomatoes cucumbers and greens to sturdier fare of cabbage potatoes turnips carrots and squash. This past Saturday our Environmental Conservation and Research Center organized a tree planting event w http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-218930.html What to do when not hikinghellipWell we are somewhat sidelined. Tom and I celebrated his birthday last weekend by staying at one of the Tufenkian hotels 3 hours north of Yerevan. We wanted to complete two of the hikes in the Adventure Armenia book that we enjoy so much. Unfortunately Tom for the first time sprained his ankle. But of course finished the last 2.5 miles of the hike anyway http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-213855.html Tom and I have not been suffering from ennui in Armenia. . Tom is busy working with GIS data for the White Stork project helping with our website grocery shopping in the markets and going to receptions parties etc. Yerevan weather is still very warm during the day but the evenings are wonderfully cool.Cochineal InsectsLast week as Tom mentioned in his letter we got up early to go with our http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-205811.html Today is our last day of the Global Village trip and a great had been planned for us. Melik David and Ani picked us up to take us to the Holy See Edminjistan. Being that it was Sunday both churches we visited had masses in seesion it was a great experience to see how the traditional Armenian masses were held as well as seeing the historic churches. It was very beautiful and Ani and David did http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-203106.html Maliek Gohar and David a HFH Armenia volunteer who is Armenian grew up in Jordan but lives in Yerevan as he is going to the university to be a dentist picked us up from the hotel to take us to our last day on the worksite. Since we finished moving the lava rock to the attic yesterday our task today was to do some landscaping leveling the front and backyard filling with dirt then covering http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-202415.html Today we headed straight to the worksite and started the highly anticipated bucket brigade Our task for the day was to carry buckets of the lava rock up to the attic and to bring enough rocks up to form a 56 layer across the entire attic floor. This was a nice break from plastering and painting and gave the team a different experience. Gohar also explained that by our team helping move the l http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-202168.html Before we started work today Gohar Meri and Maliek took our team to visit some of the families who are in their homes including 2 families that were supported by Habitat Detroit and Masco. It was an absolutely amazing experience. One of the homes we saw that was sponsored by HFHD and Masco was a beautiful home and an experience I will never forget. The family has 3 children 2 girls and a boy http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Armenia/West/Yerevan/blog-201882.html