I have arrived! Back in Artsakh where the air seems sweeter and the markets are like going to the playground. The internship group plus a few others left Saturday morning eastbound with a few pit stops. We did the usual Khor Virap, Noravank, Stone hendges, which I saw for the first time... cool. But the coolest was sleeping in Datev Vank. We picked up some food along the way and picniced in the room without the last wall... straight drop down. We started a fire on the cliff, drank, ate, sang, and shared beautiful moments together. Around 4 am when people started to fall asleep, I stayed awake to stand guard. I was cozied up by the fire looking up at the sky where the stars slowly exposed themselves and reflected on the entire night as one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I know I say that with each trip, but having brought all these people to this place, this moment had caught up with me.
The next day, we swam in Sadanai gamourj, stopped in Goris to visit Karen's, one of the drivers and my now close friend, family. They invited us into their home, spread out a feast for us, and then gave us the GRAND tour of their massive backyard. By back yard, I mean the river, the other mountain, the land where they grow just about everything from strawberries to toot to mint to just about anything you can think of. It was remarkable.
We finally reached Stepanakert where we settled into Hotel Kharabagh. Apparently we were the last guests in that hotel because someone had just bought it and it is now closed down, because this morning we were told to find shelter elsewhere. So the woman that settled us in called a friend to take us into her home that she rents out. We are staying there now and it is very quaint with a backyard balcony and very comfortable beds. Sam, Perouz and Sebouh left this morning for Yerevan, but we will kef enough for them as well.
Today we drove up to Ganzasar, looked around, had a picnic and Karen began the Vartavar battle, one day late. Next thing you know, everyone is soaked except for the boys. When they carry around expensive equipment, of course they aren't gonna get soaked... what a lame excuse.
Artsakh is a wonderful as it always has been. Moments here never seem to be short of mezmorizing... perhaps the only "lesser" experience is me sitting on a computer, so I better rush off back to Artsakh... tomorrow is Karin Dag, from where we will climb up to Shoushi... a dream come true a second time!
The next day, we swam in Sadanai gamourj, stopped in Goris to visit Karen's, one of the drivers and my now close friend, family. They invited us into their home, spread out a feast for us, and then gave us the GRAND tour of their massive backyard. By back yard, I mean the river, the other mountain, the land where they grow just about everything from strawberries to toot to mint to just about anything you can think of. It was remarkable.
We finally reached Stepanakert where we settled into Hotel Kharabagh. Apparently we were the last guests in that hotel because someone had just bought it and it is now closed down, because this morning we were told to find shelter elsewhere. So the woman that settled us in called a friend to take us into her home that she rents out. We are staying there now and it is very quaint with a backyard balcony and very comfortable beds. Sam, Perouz and Sebouh left this morning for Yerevan, but we will kef enough for them as well.
Today we drove up to Ganzasar, looked around, had a picnic and Karen began the Vartavar battle, one day late. Next thing you know, everyone is soaked except for the boys. When they carry around expensive equipment, of course they aren't gonna get soaked... what a lame excuse.
Artsakh is a wonderful as it always has been. Moments here never seem to be short of mezmorizing... perhaps the only "lesser" experience is me sitting on a computer, so I better rush off back to Artsakh... tomorrow is Karin Dag, from where we will climb up to Shoushi... a dream come true a second time!
posted by Arsineh at 9:18 PM
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