Summer is an interesting time in Yerevan. Armenian tourists from America and other places in the west come in waves to see their homeland. Over the past week I have had dinner with a few Philadelphian college-age kids I had met while living there a few years back, drinks with 3 most interesting Argentinians (see Raf's post from the wknd), and I met a distant cousin of mine who recently graduated from college on the west coast and is here visiting her aunt, a woman who has been living and working in the health-care industry for the past 3 years. Soon enough, the inaugural volunteers (of which fellow life-in-Armenia writer Lena is a member) are coming to comprise the Armenian Volunteer Corps...and it is only July! The 1700th celebration events are also becoming more and more frequent - virtually every day there is a concert, artistic program, or cultural/religious event to hear, see, or participate in. Days are hot, evenings are cool and breezy (sometimes windy), and outdoor cafes, rooftop cafes, bookstore cafes, and bar/cafes are great places to catch up with a friend over a coffee, ice tea, great local beer, ice cream, or chess board ;-)