Mer Gyumri
It has been two months since I left Armenia and made a feeble move to Lebanon. I have yet to process my experience in Armenia entirely, but I wanted to concentrate on a few things I was able to shovel through.
Let us continue where I left off last, which was when I arrived in Gyumri.
Gyumri – the second largest city in Armenia, distraught and in the process of rebuilding literally from the ground up; you realize this is one of the places in Armenia where Armenian is accurately represented.
- A place I made my home; while confirming my appalling notions of the Armenian race. I arrived in Gyumri at 11 pm after a 2-hour marshrutka ride (minivan), greeted by a birthright staffer that later would play a pivotal role in my life.
Before I knew it, I was oriented, shown my way, taught how to ride the bus and the marshrutkas, how to get to and from work, and where I can get essential items. In my Gyumri orientation, I was forewarned.
Something’s include:
- People are curious in Gyumri so if they start following you don’t be alarmed they want to know where you are from and what you are doing
- If people stare at you it is a regular occurrence again it ties to their curiosity not to harm you
- If they ask you “are you married?” it is best to answer yes because otherwise you will be set up with someone they think is well–suited for you
- If someone is bumping music, do not look at him or her because they will think they can approach you
I was shocked by the preparation they had to put us through, and I was immediately tested with the marriage one when I was at work. An older gentleman came for assistance; I took down his information and told him I would tell my supervisor to contact him. He then asked me if I was married, completely forgetting what I was taught I said no; I was then told that he has a grandson that is a lawyer who would be perfect for me. He needs to get out more and meet people, and I would be an excellent match for him. I proceeded to say no but was hard-pressed. I was eventually given the door to leave, but a took a bit.
As you may have guessed my adjustment was quite rough, took a few weeks, but before I knew it, I was in the swing of things and at ease with my placement.
My day to day in Mer Gyumri was as followed:
- Monday – I would [wake up and get ready, eat breakfast with my host family, talk about random topics, call my parents while on the bus, arrive to work, work on the tasks,] hang out with the other volunteers, go home, have dinner with my host family, and sleep
- Tuesday and Thursday – [Repeat the process], go to language class, go back, have dinner with my host family, hang out with the volunteers, go home and sleep
- Wednesday – [Repeat the process], attend a havak or forum with the volunteers, go back and sleep
- Friday – volunteer to renovate a school
- Saturday – excursion day
- Sunday – rest and recharge
It is still hard to find the words, but for my visual learners, please watch this video that was made by one of the Gyumri volunteers.
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