Blogs from Armenia, Asia - page 19

Well after waiting and flying and waiting and flying we finally have arrived here in Yerevan. Our flight was delayed for eight hours in Dulles which was actually convenient because it save us the trouble of having to wait in Moscow for ten hours before going to armenia. We are staying at the shirak hotel in the middle of the city and as izzy has brilliantly put it "they made everything for dwarves". Meaning that the beds are very small and anglos such as myself and izzy have to hang half of our legs off of the beds. (Stuart) Here it is 10:46 am but in our heads it is 2:00 am so we are quite exhausted. We arent quite feeling the effects of the jetlag yet but im sure that at night everything will be ... read more

Hi All Jusat returned from my first trip to Yerevan, Armenia. Wow it was fantastic. nothing like you first imagine of an ex CCCP state. The people were so friendly, lovely climate and just sitting in the local cafe's drinking eastern coffee (turkish coffee), just pur bliss. Of all the countries I have been to this was probably the most different to my first expectation. I had an image of poor, with the majority being in low class and no middle class... how wrong was I. The country was cultururally brilliant. Even the street traders would try and talk in broken english, semi russian, semi armenian... but a smile translates in all languages. :-) I stayed in Republic Square... just awesome... it beats most squares in the world... at night you can sit there listening to ... read more

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.... read more

First, today is 1989 throwback day in Armenia. And I don't mean they are wearing "throwback" jerseys. For the upcoming election, I think it is in January or February, one of the candidates was president back in 1989. As a protest against him by the other candidate, who must still be in government, Armenians do not have heating oil today. A little reminder of what life was like back during this guy's tenure - no electricity, no heat, food shortages, etc. I think it's a great campaign strategy. I think my feet might fall off they are so cold. I am also mapping out a new career path while I'm here. You know that I want to work overseas, right? Well, I think I'm going to sign up as a security guard for a donor-funded project. ... read more

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 with the NGO Armenian Tree Project. Bad weather and slippery roads had caused us to cancel our first planned project a couple weeks ago, but Saturday was a beautiful fall day in Yerevan. We gathered at the Gai monument (a hero of WWI) to plant the species Sophora japonica or pagoda tree in the pea/bean family (actually from China). It will grow into a medium-sized tree with cascades of flowers so the web info ... read more