It's been a while since I last logged, and there were reasons for that (this seems to be how I tend to begin every log). But, one of the things that I've been mulling over in the last few days and weeks, partly because of what's been going on here on Cilicia.com, but also generally in Armenia in the world. I'm reminded that the world is not black and white, but that there are many many shades of gray in between. This is true in all aspects of life. This is true in people's opinions, the realities of Armenia, in world politics, in a people's struggle, and within ourselves. In a conversation yesterday with a diasporan who's been living in Armenia for over 10 years now, I was reminded of this, because in a place like Armenia, one cannot just see black and white and perpetuate the notion that everything fits into those two categories. This goes for our changes on the logs, our opinions about Armenia, and I think we would all be served well to remain aware of this.
The last few weeks have been quite fast. Many visitors, an unusally unpredictable summer season, the forthcoming influx in tourists and the preparations therefore, and so on. I'm noticing a change in me as well--compared to last summer. Last summer, having only been in Armenia for just a few months, I was just as excited as the tourists were about being in Armenia, albeit for them for an all too short of a period. This year, however, I'm a bit less tolerant of the "tourist" culture, and it's not so much that I don't appreciate the visits and the reunions, but it's that the mroe time I spend in Armenia the more I'm convinced that it is not possible to discover and understand Armenia, in all of its multilayered complexities in two weeks time, perched high atop the city in a hotel. It's just not possible. Again, please understand that I'm not being critical of tourists and the much needed and brief infusion of economic and psycho-social alternatives that they provide, but as a nation, I'm convinced, we need to be able to start taking a long look at what we're trying to do, and start taking the right steps toward that. Repatriation is certainly one way, but not the only one, but I will say that if one is to really understand the needs of Armenia, then it is necessary to spend some time here, and opportunities for that abound--but let's make it happend. That part is dependent only on us!
The summer flew by this year, and last night we had a bash for many from our fold who are leaving us for greener pastures (dare I say this?!). But, one thing that I will say about my friends in Armenia--particularly the ones who have understood that even if they can't commit or don't have the ability to commit to living in Armenia full time on a semi-permanent basis--that their presence here makes a difference, and this consciousness is present at all times, regardless of what one is doing: working at the pc, building churches in the villages, gyrating on the dance floor, or simply kicking back with a view of Mt. Ararat. That consciousness is always there.
I'll try to log more and that's a gray promise! Cheers.
The last few weeks have been quite fast. Many visitors, an unusally unpredictable summer season, the forthcoming influx in tourists and the preparations therefore, and so on. I'm noticing a change in me as well--compared to last summer. Last summer, having only been in Armenia for just a few months, I was just as excited as the tourists were about being in Armenia, albeit for them for an all too short of a period. This year, however, I'm a bit less tolerant of the "tourist" culture, and it's not so much that I don't appreciate the visits and the reunions, but it's that the mroe time I spend in Armenia the more I'm convinced that it is not possible to discover and understand Armenia, in all of its multilayered complexities in two weeks time, perched high atop the city in a hotel. It's just not possible. Again, please understand that I'm not being critical of tourists and the much needed and brief infusion of economic and psycho-social alternatives that they provide, but as a nation, I'm convinced, we need to be able to start taking a long look at what we're trying to do, and start taking the right steps toward that. Repatriation is certainly one way, but not the only one, but I will say that if one is to really understand the needs of Armenia, then it is necessary to spend some time here, and opportunities for that abound--but let's make it happend. That part is dependent only on us!
The summer flew by this year, and last night we had a bash for many from our fold who are leaving us for greener pastures (dare I say this?!). But, one thing that I will say about my friends in Armenia--particularly the ones who have understood that even if they can't commit or don't have the ability to commit to living in Armenia full time on a semi-permanent basis--that their presence here makes a difference, and this consciousness is present at all times, regardless of what one is doing: working at the pc, building churches in the villages, gyrating on the dance floor, or simply kicking back with a view of Mt. Ararat. That consciousness is always there.
I'll try to log more and that's a gray promise! Cheers.
posted by Alex at 11:29 AM
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