First Full Day in Armenia

     Yesterday was an incredible day. I haven't scheduled much for a couple of days and it's actually not all that easy to be spontaneous. I'm so used to tight schedules that it seems wrong to not have the whole day planned out. But surprises come up when the planning goes out the door.  I spent the morning walking around, changing money and buying a few food items. 

     I had been invited to join the Fuller Center for Housing staff for lunch. I assumed that we would go out to a restaurant. Instead one of the staff members cooked a beautiful lunch of cheese, pasta, bread, salad and a chicken mushroom fry.  The meal was followed by the absolute best watermelon and honeydew melon I have ever had in my life.  Gohar, my friend at the Center, explained that all the fruit and vegetables are grown very close nearby and without chemicals, fertilizers etc.  Absolutely fabulous.

     I told Gohar that my international cell phone was being very difficult to operate (presumably operator error).  She found a spare cell phone they had, lent it to me for the month and we went and bought time on the SIM card. All very easy.  Oh yes, and they picked me up at the airport on Thursday and wouldn't accept any money.

    In the evening, Holger Brune, a very fine person I met who is from Germany, and I walked up the Cascad. I thought I was pretty tired with all the walking, but he hadn't seen the Cascad. So off we went. I mentioned to him that I ran the Cascad some mornings when I was here before.  He said, "Well, let's do it!"  We managed to get about 1/4 of the way before stopping absolutely out of gas and sucking air... :-)  He is a professional photographer and took some great pics which he will send to me.

    That evening, we went to Mer Guyg (Our Village) cafe right next door to our apartment and featuring authentic Armenian music.  Much to my surprise, the two singers, Edgar and Nazeli whom I remembered from 5 years ago, were still there.  And - FOR INGRID - Kato Kachatryan was there playing dohl.  I didn't talk with him but maybe I will another night.  I started requesting songs and they obliged and I can't tell you how that warmed my heart as I sang along.  Holger had tears in his eyes on some songs - though he didn't understand the words,he got the sentiment.  I told him that his wife was lucky to have such a sensitive man as a partner.

    So today I'm on my own. Holger left for the south of Armenia. The couple from Holland and the couple from Poland have left.  I'm heading over to the Vernissage - a huge outdoor art and craft and clothing market that occurs on weekends. Other than that and looking for a haircut - I'm just walking around seeing what adventure will pop its head out.

    Tomorrow off to Tatev Monastery/Fortress, Khndsorev Village, the Devil's bridge and a ride on the longest and highest cable/tram car in the world that goes up to Tatev.  More to follow.

Tsedesutyun,

Bob

Aram Katchaturian - Composer

Armenian Assembly Building

Boghosian Gardens - Water Features

Boghosian Gardens - these gardens and the park are lovely and they have recycling and a non-smoking childrens' area.

This wall is at the American University of Armenia and of course I thought of Jack.  Awesome stonework.

Just some people on the street. I have not seen a single tattoo on any of the local folks.

IN YEREVAN

    I arrived in Yerevan about 3 hours ago. I'm still in a bit of a fog with two long plane rides and a longer lay-over in Paris - but  not long enough to do anything fun.
     I'm now at my friend, Anahit Stepanyan's, home/apartment stay. It's good to see her after 5 years.  Sadly, her dog Mina is not here to greet me. Mina died this winter at age 17.  I'll tell a story about her later.
     So, I'm off to bed at what would be about 11:30am in Washington. I'm going to get on the local schedule as soon as I can.  Hugs and love to all of you,
Bob

Anahit - 5 years ago.

I am in Paris

     So I have experienced periods of pre-occupation when I am paying absolutely no attention to my surroundings or the people around me.  When I got to Seattle, I really had to use the restroom.  And I was also going through that stress that airports seem to bring on: where's my terminal, will I get through security OK, where the heck is Air France (it's actually under Delta - but who knew?).
     So on my way up the stairs, I saw to my great relief, a restroom.  It was near the 00 doors at the newer end of the terminal. I raced in and was surprised that there were no urinals, just a vast row of cubicles.  Hmmm.... Must be a new style of restrooms!
     OR... Yikes, I'm in the Women's... I got out just as a lady was walking in.  I just strolled out as if this were the most common occurence - no big deal.   
     Anyhow, I'm at Charles de Gaulle airport in France. The 10-hour flight actually seemed to go pretty quickly.  Now, I'm waiting a few hours to go to Yerevan.
     More to follow.

I AM ON MY WAY!!!

So I am at the airport in Seattle, leaving for Paris in a few minutes.  I have a 3-hour stopover there and then a 4.5 hour flight to Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.  Thanks again to all of our friends and family who have supported Kristina and I to make this trip possible. 

Special thanks to our children and grandchildren too for carrying on  Armenian DNA.

And my great honor and respect for Kristina who done unending work to help me go - not the least of which is to not have me with her for a month.

Cheers,
Bob

Our Armenian Fundraising dinner was a great success last Saturday. We had about 30 people in attendance.  Marty and I performed a house concert  - we are called Twisted Roots - along with our friends Marilyn Kaler on harmonica and Paul Chasman on guitars.



Scandia Hall - Sons of Norway  - about to be invaded by
Armenians



We ate well, raised money for my house building project in Armenia, got to share some of the culture and we all went away with lots of leftovers.  We are still eating kuftas, khorovats, dolmas, imam beyeldi and simit here at hom



Leslie making Armenian prayer flags.



Thanks to all our great friends who cooked, set up, dined and then cleaned up with us. Friends and family are what life is about.

Our deepest thanks.

Ivy Rose getting the wrinkles out.

Fuller Center for Housing Armenia - Brief Video

Lots of people ask about the project I will be working on in Armenia this August. Here is a short video about the Fuller Center for Housing.  This is why I am going.

ARMENIAN DINNER FUNDRAISER - JULY 14 - 4:00pm

We have decided to go with July 14 at 4:00pm for the Armenian Dinner Fundraiser for my building project with the Fuller Center for Housing in Armenia. See my posts below describing the dinner and the project.

Seats are filling up fast so please make a reservation soon. RSVP us via this blog or at lawrence@olypen.com

This is a basturma, an air-dried, spice-covered beef delicacy that will absolutely thrill your mouth with subtle and robust tastes.  I've get several batches going now and can't wait for folks to taste it.

The meal will be preceded by a house concert by Twisted Roots, the local acoustic roots duo from Port Angeles.

If you are unable to attend but would still like to contribute to bringing affordable housing - or really just housing period! - to people in great need, you can use the DONATE button on the right.

Thanks for your support.
Bob and Kristina