I just read again about the "Vahakni Homes" suburb of American tract homes which are being built on the edge of Yerevan. You pass them on the way to Ashtarak and it is really strange to see such perfect, brand new, completely American tract homes in Armenia. Eventually it is to be a large 700 home developement, but each home will only be built after it is sold. There is also eventually supposed to be golf courses, shopping, lakes, etc. I have heard a few complaints about these homes, but I think they're great. One of the chief things people say is that the houses should not look so American, that they are out of place here. Although I am sympathetic to that view because of my general distaste for the look of tract homes in America, I disagree. Armenia is full of buildings which do not look like tract homes, these Vahakni homes, on the very edge of town do not interfere with that. For me to move into a Yerevan flat was a big adjustment which I now enjoy a great deal. Not everyone is prepared to make that adjustment. I really feel that a good number of diasporans should come to Armenia to retire, and these homes should make that a lot easier for them. They will hardly feel the difference of having moved to the other side of the planet, except that Ararat will loom in front of them each morning. Others say that it is bad to have diasporans in an exclusive gated compound, but again I disagree. Even the numerous Iranian-Armenians in Armenia cling together, and even have their own buildings. In America, Armenians also stick close together in many regions just as the Irish, Chinese, gays, and others do. It is human. It is comforting. Again, anything that will make diasporans more comfortable living here can be considered. Hey, if they want a nice remodeled flat in the middle of town, it is much cheaper than the Vahakni homes and nobody is stopping them. So let people decide for themselves.