Destination: Gyumri

Two months in the second largest city in Armenia.
Just two weeks in, and I feel like I'm in a separate nation entirely.

Ten years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the motherland with a youth group and spent two weeks in Yerevan, leisurely spending our days in air conditioned buildings, fine cafes, and tour buses. My impression of Armenia was of confidence in a continuously developing nation. We had visited outer villages where life was more primitive and organic, but there was no cause for concern. These people were so hospitable, happy, and the living was easy.

Right? Well, not exactly. Gyumri was the first stop in showing me how difficult life really is for people living here, not tourists from the outside looking in. Yerevan is the capital and solely modernized region, while the rest of Armenia seems to have frozen in time. I don't mean to infer that this is a bad thing though. The architecture, family values, and rich history of this region have fortunately been preserved; elements which are often lost among more modernized countries. However, upon enduring an earthquake of gigantic measures roughly 20 years ago, the collapse of the Soviet Union (hence loss of aid from Russia) and political corruption have made life very difficult for people here.

Roads are filled with potholes, buildings are still in need of renovation, and the unemployment rate of the U.S. is no comparison to what it is here. Despite these pitfalls, I don't believe I've ever visited a place where complete strangers invite you in for coffee at any hour of the day (happened my first week when I entered the wrong apartment building); families ensure the well being of one another in such high regard (my host family immediately began calling me their 'daughter'/'sister' and completely opened their house to me); and regardless of looking north, south, east or west, a mountain range or grassy plain covered with red and yellow flowers abloom are of clear visibility.

The values, people, and nature of this country reign supreme above any economic, political, or natural turmoil/disasters that may occur and I feel extremely fortunate to be able to witness this firsthand. Having an impact during my time here and in the future, however little it may be, is one of the most rewarding feelings I've ever had and hope to give you all a glimpse of what it's like through these posts. I'll end this introductory entry with a word of wisdom: Taste the sugar before you put it in the coffee; it very well may be salt (true story :/ )

Photo description: With some of the other Gyumri volunteers at Independence Square.