and Pictures are What they Got

Here are some splatterings of words put together. One is from the class blog, it's not an assignment, just a way for our classmates to keep in contact and other stuff is from personal journaling. Pictures of the city taken within a 6 block radius of the hostel. Just some snap shots to give you an idea. More to come with a tour or two. Bon Appetit.

Austin Bergstrom
Saying Goodbyes-->






09.Jan
After an extended stay in the states, one long enough to get myself some last games of American billiards in LA with an old college buddy (not the man you see above), I landed in Yerevan Saturday morning at 2am. It was colder in London (layover), maybe those of you with yahoo mail saw the news clip indicating its ridiculous weather.
My Russian was put to use immediately while buying the visa (beautiful UT letter not used). They were charging $45 or $39 if I paid in dram (armenian currency). Thank goodness I didn't have the 5-dollar bill necessary to pay Amerikanski style - this sent me to the currency exchange guy where I decided that breaking an American 10 was just plain silly, thus leading me to the discovery of inflated prices at the dollar level.
The number of taxicabers at the exit was a bit boggling considering the time. Through the thicket was my driver Rafayel with the sign that read, "UNHCR LESLIE DIAZ." I mouthed "eto ya" (it's me) with a smile and head nod that just barely held back the mounted excitement that had built up over the years spent preparing myself for that moment. Then it seems as though there have been buckets full of these moments that indicate that I am on THE path.

Rafayel was surprised at my choice to stay at a hostel, which made me wonder what past interns for this office have been like. I'm so glad I didn't arrive the day I had originally intended because it was the Armenian Christmas Day (Jan. 6th). It would have meant that chit chat with Rafayel would have not only been underscored with a bit of sleepiness, but also hatred. ha!



After a 3 hour catnap, I went out to get my bank business started as they are open until 2pm on Saturdays. I found out from the cell phone chip vendor lady that businesses that are not private are closed through the 10th of Jan. for the holiday. So, l3cli3 will wait until Monday to do the mad dance. heh.

10. Jan
Yesss. First day of complete and total vacation (no packing, saying goodbye, or waiting for a flight). Flamin' Hot Cheetos, plane-sized bottle of Cabernet, and Boston's More Than A Feeling. Justification for slovenly behavior at 6am: my business cannot take place until Monday and I'm adjusting to the new time zone. IT's the rule post holiday week in Armenia. Nothing until the 11th of January, god save the fascists. The antioxidants could help with the sniffling that still plagues my face. I figure it's all fate that these last remnants of nutrients are with me from the traveling to kick off this Sunday as care-free as possible. I'd head out to the 24-hour mart that's just down the block for some water, but it's dark and cold. I've got scrupples, it's only day 2. I know when to be alone and when not, wisdom granted by adulthood.

The worker of the hostel is up and watching a Russian movie down in the basement as I wait homogo-room for the internet to reboot. It's a shotty connection, "in and out" he says. I wonder if the condition of the connection has to do with purposeful misalignment to America's time, meaning it's a problem all over Armenia or if the guy just lacks interest enough to not try the old unplug-and-replug routine. It's amazingly that easy to make overseas communication difficult. I have become subject to the whims of this stranger that gave good marks on my Russian attempts because I equally lack the interest in questioning his integrity/intelligence by charading the faithful routine to connect me to loved ones. Let it be known that upon his exit stage right I'll be search-dogging every corner of this basement, thus initiating the coup. Cheetos plus wine equals Armenian Wheaties.

Bibles in this hostel are not hard to come by. Each bunk is fashioned with one. I wonder what will replace the living room Christmas trees after this week. Unsurprised if February is welcomed into each new year with x-mas decorations falling into their respectful boxes for their 10 month hibernation.

I have plans to try out their KFC tomorrow, later today. Pictured on their windows was a tasty looking fried chicken wrap and coke. While walking through the under passage of a square, of which there are many, I passed a food stand with good looking kabob [whope, guy just laid himself down on the couch, coup success rate dropped to 30%]. I don't want to move through food poisoning in the hostel, too many witnesses.


Good news: I have comfortably sustained through this past week partially due to the presence of my uniform. To the utmost, the same clothes have stayed on my body! I love uniforms...conformity for the majority warning...for those who know, outfit production takes some time. At this rate, it sadly means my brown/green pants will leave sooner than desired. Enough of the negative talk.

Oh Sunrise, show your face soon.