The "pool" really is a life-saver, but we are having to change the water every few days because the winds bring in so much dirt ;-( Eh, that's life. I totally agree with you Madlene that the modern wedding is just crazy. In fact I went to one last night, and it really was great fun, but we were not really close to the bride and groom, just friends of the family... and that kind of seems to lose something if you ask me. In any case, I am a strong proponent of eloping (be warned!).

Yesterday morning I stopped by the tourist information office, to check on the plans for a trip to Western Armenia... unfortunately the trip has been postponed it turns out, but I met a really impressive tourist who had been backpacking across Armenia. In fact, he started in Ankara, walked through western Armenia, then to Armenia for three weeks. He was a complete odar who had come across the ruins of Ani and Akhtamar Monastery in current day Turkey and was fascinated, wanting to visit more. He saw more in three weeks, on foot, than just about any diasporan I have ever met. I really enourage all of those who that sounds even remotely appealing to to just do it. Really, this guy without a word of Armenian, has been able to walk from Noyemberyan to Goris, seeing countless sites along the way, no doubt spending pennies a day.