Barev everyone!
[Kelsey] you would be pleased to know that the eight of us in my village have made ourselves an Armenian summer bucket list. I crossed off a few things last week.
1) Learn to milk a cow. I was so excited when my sister told me I could learn how to milk one. Then, I got up close and personal with the cow. Cows don't take showers here. It is so much harder than it looks too! I was so happy to have tried it but am thankful it is not one of my daily chores. Then, a few days later, my sister had me milk it again. Afterwards, I restrained the goats and sheep (they don't shower either) while she milked those.
2) Learn Armenian-style dance. Our LCST's (Language, Culture, and Society Trainers) took us to Yerevan, the capital, on Friday night. We gathered with a couple hundred other Armenians and learned tradition Armenian dance...which is awesome. We had so much fun! Afterwards, we went to the Republic Square and watched the "dancing fountains" (like at the Belagio in Vegas...ok, like a step down from the Belagio Fountain).
3) Learn how to make coffee. Ok, I am not a coffee fan at all. In fact, I am a fully devoted Iced Grande Soy Chai fan to the core. Unfortunately, coffee is all I got...and it wins points with locals. I learned how to make coffee here and must be pretty good at it because my host father requests me make his 10pm cup nightly now.
In addition to these experiences, I have started a morning mostly walk/sometimes run routine here. I head a little ways out of town and on the way back have the glorious view of snowy Mount Aragot. It is such a great daily reminder that I am lucky to be here. Our language teacher is quick to remind us that Mt Aragot is the tallest Mountain in the "Republic of Armenia" but not in all of Armenia :)
***Fun Fact: Armenians must have a recessive red head gene because everyone once in awhile we see a red head. We have one red head boy in our village and three of us are red headed so I am happy that we upped the ratio.
It's really hard to milk your sheep. I thought all you had to do was tug on the udder and milk came out, but I got nothing and felt really dirty (literally and figurative) doing it. Also, I felt really bad when all the little lambs came out to get their mothers milk but we'd already put it in buckets and they tried to suckle but nothing came out. That was super sad.
ReplyDeleteHi Maggie....boy I would have loved the milking the cow thing or anything that has to do with animals...(except for the slaughter part UGH) glad everything is going well for you.Pretty cool I saw you on facebook chat...would have stayed on with you forever but did'nt want to hog all your time. Love you and carry you in my heart always!! xxxooo
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