It has been a long time, I'm sorry. In my defence, my computer was broken for just over a week and just got fixed! This is probably how the Summer will be, I don't see myself having lots of time to sit down and write here, which makes me sad..and kind of happy for the business (ie lack of homesickness/flying time).Truly, I am really looking forward to it, especially if this constant rain ever lets up. Yes, it is still raining just about everyday. Not even just in Dilijan (which is known for rain) but all over the country. Places in the south were even getting snow as late as last week. Craziness.
There have been no big changes here, still chugging away at English and Environmental classes, and Green Camps (oops...Environmental Leadership Camps) are taking up more and more of my time. I hope you still have your fingers crossed for us so that our grant will be approved!
Went to Yerevan last weekend, for a meeting, and some fun. A lot of volunteers where there, and it was a nice time. Since it was sunny there for a few hours every day, a lot of time was spent at the many outdoor cafes that can be found all over the place in the city. We also checked out a new night club that had opened, I love dancing.
Another volunteer and I traveled on Sunday from Yerevan to Ijevan for another ELC meeting, which means I got to cross the landslide that has blocked the road for just about a month now. It had been raining for days, and we really didn't think about what a gigantic mud pile the landslide would have become. It was d i r t y. Of course, men were trying to 'rent' us wellies to cross, and many clever Armenians had plastic grocery bags to tie around their shoes. Us Americans, not so much. We rolled up our pants and went to town. We were accompanied by two young girls, each wearing a pair of 3" heels, wrapped in plastic bags. Don't worry, pictures were taken, and as soon as I get them from the other volunteer, they will be up on Facebook. One of the girls kept muttering 'vay mama jan', which is basically the Armenian equivalent of 'oh my goodness'. It was cute. When we finally reached the other side, I dug in my bag for my extra shoes, and the other volunteer was directed to a stream to clean off his shoes before we could get in the waiting marshutka and go the rest of the way.
Things are really coming together for the camps this year. We are working really, really well as a team..and the Armenians we are working with are fantastic. Their house has become my home away from home away from home (Dartmouth, Dilijan, Ijevan). We are all waiting like expecting parents for the grant to come through, so like I said before, keep those fingers crossed.
We are having the Counselor training on the 15th and 16th and for the first time all counselors are required to attend. We are hoping that will help the quality of the camps increase, as well as demand a certain level of commitment from the HCN counselors.
In only 15 days I leave for Egypt!!! I am so excited there are really no words! The other volunteer traveling with me keeps me updated on the weather reports. Egypt is already seeing days over 95, hello tan, here I come.
OH, and in just 20 days, it will be my and Armenia's one year anniversary! Time has flown.
Love you all!
Happy Birthday Uncle Allen!
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