Yesterday I did something I feel great about. I went to HSBC (which gives zero percent interest, and does not loan out my money to local Armenian businesses or individuals -- I heard that all their money is invested abroad), withdrew almost all my money and took it to a reliable local bank, where I opened an account. That one simple action has allowed me and one or more locals to come out ahead in life. I will get 6% interest on my money, while a local will have funds available to borrow in order to improve his farm! The bank I chose is called ACBA, and it is involved in loans to the agricultural sector. Farmers here do not get nearly the yields they should because they cannot afford enough of the high yield seed/fertilizer/pesticide/tractors/feed, etc, etc. that they need to get the most out of their land. So this will help them, and help me (I actually get a very decent interest rate, as well I should). The service at the bank was excellent and the location is very close to the Opera (between the Opera and Poplavok) so it is convenient as well. I am giong to move a little more money to Armenia to keep it there since the rate of return is much better than in th US. I recommend this to all the others who are glued to HSBC only because it has a British parent company. In fact this is a very easy and straightforward way to "invest" in Armenia. It is not the glamorous way to do it, but keeping savings in local banks is a the old fashioned way to help an economy. That is how Japan had such vast sums of money to invest in its own infrastructure and development. OK, maybe I am getting way too excited about opening a stupid bank account, but it just goes to show how you feel like little things here make a real difference.

The last two nights have had pretty decent thunder/lightening storms and the ground is now actually moist outside. It is a nice cool summer day today and it is forcast to continue like this for a few more days.

BTW, it seems as is the site that was hosting the comments has completely disappeared, and I don't know if it will ever come back. At this point if it doesn't come back soon I think I will just get rid of them completely.