Wednesday, September 24, 2008

random thoughts


This is an old Russian church near the center where my exchange student class resides. 

This is my exchange class after the first "lesson".   I asked them to draw pictures of something they would like their counterparts in Asheville to see.   Most of them drew pictures of their school.   They wrote their names in English and Armenian.   

Future classes will give them opportunities to write to the students in Asheville.   We may also take a couple of field trips around Gyumri to see various buildings, etc. 



This is Gyumri's big park.   I like to sit on the benches and read on a warm afternoon.   Obviously I'm not the only one who favors this pastime.


Riding to Yerevan:  more often than not,  I take route taxis (4 passengers plus driver).   Unless it is too hot and I can't get air (Armenians believe air blowing on you is unhealthy and causes a variety of ailments),  the trip has a couple of enjoyable features:
- cow traffic jams.    On every trip there is at least one required stop to let a herd of cows finish  crossing the street.   Cows take their time.   Frequently they are herded by a man on donkey or horseback.   They use sticks to keep the cows behaving themselves and moving forward.   Its anachronistic to watch this parade unfold on  a serious paved highway with cars coming in both directions (no one seems to mind the wait).  

- bare landscape.   We pass a few villages seen at a distance.   Most of the scenery is sun-scorched brown hills and lots and lots of rocks.   No McDonalds beckons.   No gated communities.   No billboards.   Its very soothing to see miles and miles of very little.     I think I will miss this absence of human intervention on main roads when I get back home.   

Tomatoes -   I planted a few heirloom tomato seeds this winter (from Appalachian Seed Company) and late spring tranferred the seedlings to Albert, my former host "dad".     They actually grew up and produced fruit.  I've been eating yummy yellow and red cherries,  a german pink/yellow (German Johnson) and waiting for the cherokee purples to get fully ripe.    I like to make short visits to Emma and Albert.   I bring puzzles to Albert, sit with Emma for awhile and usually take home some ripe lavash.    

2nd year - all the things we heard about 2nd year are coming true.  The assignments are getting better, I'm feeling more a part of things and its nice to be the experienced one instead of the novice.    I know how to get around in Yerevan,  I can ride the subway,  I know where the good grocery stores are and can get to at least three places where I stay, usually w/ Patti and Mimi.   

Thanksgiving - Patti and I are in charge of the big thanksgiving dinner this year.  I just finished putting together a menu and list of ingredients - how much butter do you need to make dinner for 120 or so.    Patti is reviewing the lists.   We've decided to parse out the various parts of the meal to make our lives easier and to give those who help some actual discretion along with responsibility.    So far, we have a Captain of Pies, a Captain of Turkeys,  a chief procurement person and a Captain of Salads.    We need a few more section captains and we'll have the key staff in place.   Each "captain" will be responsible for recruiting their team members.   Sounds very organized and under control but I'm sure when the actual event occurs,  chaos will reign (we only have one evening and 1 day to get everything ready and we have to work around the hotel kitchen meal service).   

Now I have to develop some activities for my young kids English club (I do the club w/ Dustin and Lindee and they have visitors from US this week and wont be there) tonite and the adult English club tomorrow. 

Enough for now.