I agree with some aspects of Ara's last post - but one thing I contend with - I don't want Hayastan to ever be like America.....you know the best quality about Armenia is it's ability to live life at it's most basic. The fact that people matter more than money and power.

Yes, I agree that Armenia and its political structure and authority may be very distorted and warped, but the one sound thing about Hayastan is that despite all the adversity and the lack of employment or future for much of the population - they LIVE their life. Depression has enveloped life in the west in a very BIG way, and people do tend to generally think about themselves, what THEY do, how much money THEY have, who THEY know who as contacts. I have immense respect for the Hayastansis and their hospitality and enthusiasm for their family and friends. If one really looked at the cause of most people's angst - is it really money? No, I think it's a lack of contact with people, people feel alone - why on earth would they want to chat to strangers in random chat rooms on the internet - why aren't they with friends and family, living their life? We can earn money, albeit the job may not be the best or have 'career' prospects - but the money is there - in Hayastan that it's not there - but they're still there laughing, enjoying life, inviting people to join in with their Khash eating tradition despite not having money.....Hey, isn't that how Armenians have survived through the centuries - a genuine love for life and people - overcoming all, and hence making them distinctly aimiable and then equally a reason why they've done well all over the world. I don't believe that America lives up to all that......but then, people may disagree with me!!

Anyway, there is always something lacking with every country, and there's a lot lacking here in the UK, just as in a different way there's a lot lacking in Armenia - but it all adds to the huge variety of life and experiences!