Well, I just got back a couple of hours ago from Karenis. I was there for 2 days to spend time with my old family before the holidays, and it was amazing. I didn't realize how much I missed them all!
I got to the house around 6 on Saturday. It was my first time taking the Yerevan bus, then getting off in Charentsavan and finding a taxi willing to travel the obnoxious road to Karenis. I was very happy that it went smoothly, and the cab driver knew my host dad which meant a discount for me!
When I walked into the house I dropped my stuff and went into the living room to say hi to everyone. My host brother had just come back from vacation in Egypt that day, and the women of the family (with the exception of my mother) were preparing for a welcome back dinner. The pictures were amazing, and everyone was in a great mood.
I gave everyone their gifts from my mum and Donna, and they were a big hit. Monay loved the skirt (it is going to be a part of her New Year outfit), Mariam made a bracelet right away, and the kids (along with a couple of my brothers) loved coloring the stuffed animals. At one point, the 4 (almost 5) and 2 year old were both handing me markers telling me where to color on their respective animals. I have some pretty amazing pictures of some pretty colorful hands, faces, and tounges that resulted. It was a good time.
Dinner was interesting. Pickled pig's feet were the big number of the night, but I settled (much to my host sister's disappointment)on some of the pasta I had helped to make, when I jumped all over the dough to knead it a few months ago. It was early to bed for everyone that night.
The next day was great, we ate a late brunch, and then I walked down with the kids to the ruined church in the gorge. We had a great time getting the 2 year old up and down the steep hills, but it was worth it. We all lit some candles, made wishes, and then we found some ice to skate on. Don't worry, it was a puddle! Hopefully I will get the pictures up sometime this week.
The rest of the day was mostly just hanging out and relaxing with my family. They are all fantastic, and the family is very fun to be around. Got up early this morning and caught the bus to Yerevan for my dentist appointment, I was sad to go..but left with gifts for the family (in America), some homemade pasta, and a big bag of some beautiful apples.
The dentist appointment put a bit of a downer on the day though. I have my first cavity, ever. I was not impressed. It is a little guy, and I am going to have it filled next Monday. I am not looking forward to having a shot in my face, or a numb mouth for hours. LAME. I came home to Dilijan without any issues. Then quickly announced to my family (after looking up the word for cavity in my handy dictionary), that I would no longer be eating anything sweet.
Oh! and we had our second snow in Dilijan today, I am in a better place mentally..and am really enjoying it!
16 days and counting...
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