The Washington Armenian community is very unique. So many things are the same and will never change, yet so many things have changed. It's certainly an adjustment to going backwards. Where in Boston I got comfortable with the many aspects of the Armenian community, the constant conflict of events at the same time, so many different organizations and activities going all the time, so many corners of Watertown held so many different things to do all within the same context of "Armenian."
I'm learning that Washington is not the same. If you aren't at a particular Armenian event, you are not doing your "Armenian thing." I went to church the other night for a lecture on the economic and political status of Armenia. I saw all the same faces there that I would see at any other given event. A day later, they all arrived again at an Armenian Embassy sponsored show. The only difference is a growing presence of Hayastansis, who are mostly workers at the World Bank and IMF.
The community is very obviously dominated by government workers and people very much involved in the political scene. Of course, it is Washington. I have to admit though, it is strange now seeing the Armenian Ambassador and the NKR Rep. on a regular basis, to the point that they now know me simply by seeing me so much.
It's a unique town. But it's a very proud one. Old to young, the Armenians in Washington are everywhere and do everything. Only by being in the middle of it can I completely appreciate how much all of us depend on this community. They have truly stood the Armenian name on a pedistal here. It's such a different world.
The ANCA interns arrive next week. Some of the Assembly interns have already arrived. There will certainly be some festivities through out the summer. I know of plenty of boys who would like to "visit DC to help the ANCA." I'm sure it has nothing to do with the excess of women in the program. 8 girls, 1 guy. What a lucky guy.
I'm learning that Washington is not the same. If you aren't at a particular Armenian event, you are not doing your "Armenian thing." I went to church the other night for a lecture on the economic and political status of Armenia. I saw all the same faces there that I would see at any other given event. A day later, they all arrived again at an Armenian Embassy sponsored show. The only difference is a growing presence of Hayastansis, who are mostly workers at the World Bank and IMF.
The community is very obviously dominated by government workers and people very much involved in the political scene. Of course, it is Washington. I have to admit though, it is strange now seeing the Armenian Ambassador and the NKR Rep. on a regular basis, to the point that they now know me simply by seeing me so much.
It's a unique town. But it's a very proud one. Old to young, the Armenians in Washington are everywhere and do everything. Only by being in the middle of it can I completely appreciate how much all of us depend on this community. They have truly stood the Armenian name on a pedistal here. It's such a different world.
The ANCA interns arrive next week. Some of the Assembly interns have already arrived. There will certainly be some festivities through out the summer. I know of plenty of boys who would like to "visit DC to help the ANCA." I'm sure it has nothing to do with the excess of women in the program. 8 girls, 1 guy. What a lucky guy.
posted by Arsineh at 9:26 AM
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