Stop the romance, I want to get off!

Has anyone else besides me noticed how much public make-out sessions are on the increase in Yerevan ? I’ve been walking around this city for four years now, and I’ve noticed a distinct upswing in smooching in public places in the course of this time. Some spots, to be sure, are notorious for other, more base reasons, but any old average park in Yerevan is seemingly appropriate for any couple of inamoratas these days. Not even a park per se. I was just walking past “the monument”, up at the end of the Cascades (where, by the way, they’ve put up a large boat on a table with a huge chair next to it… that’s for another entry, though, I guess), and there was this couple engrossed in one another on a bench, pretty clear for all the world to view… And someone was sitting next to them…! A young lady, at that. She looked like she was waiting for the next marshroutka…

Really, it’s all highly inappropriate, in my opinion. Now, I consider myself to be a nice, quiet (i.e., conservative) Armenian boy, and, to be sure, young ladies and men need to get acquainted with one another on more than one level, but there is such a thing as, you know, bargeshdoutiun, and decent, civil conduct. Am I just being an old fogy here, or do I have a point ?

Anyway, one thing’s for sure: we needn’t worry about any population problems in future.

Karabakh trip

I was back in Karabakh again this weekend, and caught the tail end of the autumn leaves changing... it was beautiful. I made it to some very off-the-beaten-track spots and stayed with different village families every night. I'm working on a project to create hiking trails throughout Karabakh and this was part of the scouting out of both trails and homestays. In Tonashen, I heard the story of a old village man who had to flee as the village was about to be captured and upon his return of course found the house looted, a few fires had been started in the home, and the village pretty much destroyed. When driving around in Karabakh you see Azeri homes which have been burned and I sometimes forget that this was the norm, back when the war was going back and forth and territory kept changing hands. This is why it is particularly ludicrous that Azerbaijan is complaining this year that Armenians are burning Azeri captured villages. They were all burned 13-14 years ago, and everybody knows this. The Armenians, the Azeris, the OSCE and the Azeri government just seems to be doing anything it can to distract from its war rhetoric and destruction of Jugha... a true world heritage site. Then this week Aliev apparently said the Armenian Genocide is a fantasy. He is a true ass. In any case, there are a bunch of pictures on flickr! :-)

hehehe

after aaaaall the excitement raised about the changing of the national anthem, this headline:

Government Shelves Plans For New Armenian Anthem

Stating that:

The government shelved on Thursday its controversial plans to change Armenia’s national anthem after facing strong resistance from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), a member of the ruling coalition.

read more here.

Madzoun vs. Macrobid

It seems Onnik Krikorian referenced my last blog about my health recovery on his own at http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2006/10/25/notes-from-the-armenian-blogosphere-24/#comments

Another fellow blogger commented on his blog and I'd like to respond. He said to go to another hospital. I went to the hospital recommended by everyone: Markarian on Mashtots. I spoke to a couple people there who were very helpful, but the nurse who came to my house to draw blood and yelled at me for wasting her time (even though I paid her) came from there. The sonogram experience took place there as well. Behavior aside, when blood tests come back and say different things, who do you believe? I got a completely false test result and thus an unproductive diagnosys from the doctor. By the way, I wanted to take Advil to reduce my fever and the doctor sorta laughed at me and said, "Oh, all you Americans love your Advil. Don't take Advil, I'll recommend antibiotics that will work." It didn't work. I didn't get better. The second I spoke to my father on the phone for 5 minutes describing my condition, he said to take Advil. It worked. As he says, most of his work is listening to the patient. You could recommend Madzoun to improve my fever, or you could do the proper tests to prescribe the proper antibiotic to combat the infection causing the fevers in the first place. That's the difference.

Now this is my situation as a Diasporan in Armenia. Since I am fine now with the fortune of US medical attention, I'm not worried about myself. This is more an issue of proper care for the citizens of Armenia. I am an economy loving capitalist when it comes to business and competition. It's been a positive change in Armenia. But I will forever believe that proper health care for all people regardless of their life situation should be available to them no matter what. Call me a socialist, but it's one of the problems I have with the US system. Even if a lazy villager complains that they have to work and contributes nothing to the world, they should still have access to medical attention if their limb is falling off. Laziness or complaining is not a reason to deny medical attention to someone.

As for doing something about the problem, I am not a doctor. But my father is, along with all his friends who decided to start an organization that sends medical supplies to Armenia while training doctors and funding clinics there. This concern is not coming from nothing, my family is trying to do something about it. But beyond what they are capable of, one of the most important things to do is to inform the world of the problem. If the world doesn't know what's going on there, how do they know to address the problem at all? From this experience, many people have asked me about the system there. Interest has been sparked.

I'm not one to settle for low standards, even normal standards. If one Armenian gets improper treatment, the problem should be addressed.

The Recovery

Oh, I hate the jetlag. In the last 2 weeks, I flew from Yerevan to Paris to DC to LA to DC... and soon enough I'll be doing DC to London to Yerevan. Those are not short flights and not even close to similar time zones. Add on to that multiple visits to doctor's offices and hospitals with lots of test and x-rays taken. Vacation? I'm not on vacation.

My insides are coated with liquid chalk right now after a day spent on some fancy x-ray machine. Let's compare the differences between the US and Armenia for a moment. Pre-US visit, I was in bad shape. I had multiple tests done (one involving a house visit from a nurse to draw my blood while yelling at me for wasting her time as I'm convinced I'm on my death bed), all of which apparently showed signs of kidney problems. Each doctor (2-3 whom I spoke to) had a completely different treatment suggestions. I followed one and it didn't work. I was told to get a sonogram to check my kidneys, which I did before I left. They said I had no problems, but I'm convinced the 5 giggly nurses in the room were more interested in checking my woom to see if I was pregnant before marriage. They kept asking me if I was married. I told them no, and the problem is in my kidneys. They giggled in Russian, then opened the door wide open for the next woman who was pushing her way in as my pants were half down. Thanks for that ladies.

So I arrive in DC... it's nice to have a doctor for a father who knows immediately where to send me, because time became of the essence. I saw all the right doctors, had the proper tests done and everyone seemed to come to the same conclusions and diagnosed the correct antibiotics which seems to have worked. Granted not every face I saw through the process was smiling, but most of them made me feel very comfortable, were very clear on the process, repeating the instructions many times and comforting me to make sure I felt I was in good hands. Geez, I even saw the screen of my own organs as they were x-raying me... it was actually very cool.

Okay, so this isn't a new realization. I'm not an idiot, I know the medical field is not up to par in Armenia. But it certainly needs to catch up. 99.9999% of the tourists and visitors I encountered this year got sick, many very seriously. When I left, majority of the people I encountered in the last few days were sick. The sadest reality of it all is that the people have no faith in medicine and rely on their primitive home remedies... the same people who believed Jermouk cures cancer. Everyone thinks they have the solution... EVERYONE!!!! And they all disagree with eachother, and they are all convinced they are 100% right. I'm not a big believer in medicine and try to limit usage of pills all together. But I learned how beautiful technology really is and what a difference it makes. As opposed to the guessing game they play in Armenia, I saw for myself what is going on in my body.

You might say it's all because doctors and nurses get paid well in this country, have the training available to them, etc. I completely agree. No doubt there are doctors in Armenia who would be brilliant life-saving doctors if they had the same opportunities. It's a vicious cycle. The doctors don't know what they are doing and the people don't trust them. But if there is one thing to come out of this, it should be this: None of you know the remedy, so unless you have saved a life before with medicine, don't tell me the answer to my cure. All the madzoun, rice, vegetables, and herbal tea in the world would not have cured me because it was the job of a tested and proven antibiotic to do the job. Stop playing doctor people!

NEW ANTHEM

Boys and girls, looks like our Republic of Armenia has a new national anthem! Well, sort of...

A piece by Aram Khatchaturyan was chosen, although the lyrics which were submitted with this composition were rejected.

We recently heard the top 5 submissions, and although most people expected Tigran Mansuryan's piece to win, I think this was the more suitable choice. We now have to go through the process of hearing what lyrics people submit.

I've always felt a lack of patriotism in this country, but I'm glad to say that I've noticed a lot of people showing interest in our country's national anthem.

By the way, in reference to my previous blog, check this one. This one is even MORE WRONG ... along with the "e", we now have a lower case "P"! They have a few versions in different colours, each one with it's own spelling mistake.

Work work

We all love to laugh or just roll our eyes in embarrassment when we see such spelling mistakes in Armenia. I won't mention which site this is from, but check it out.

Still busy busy working on lots of new projects. The HAYQ cd single was just released, along with the new song (which so far is getting positive feedback), I did a couple of remixes of the new song, as well as the overplayed Qami Pchi. I'm dreaming of the day local clubs start playing more Armenian music. I won't blame the DJs though, considering the majority of Armenian pop music is not something you would really dance to in clubs, and any dance remixes locals have produced have been very primitive and weak.

I just finished a new project with a new singer, a very talented workaholic. Going to shoot the video soon. The ideas are quite exciting and new for an Armenian music video, but with such a low budget, I don't know what the outcome will be. On average, local artists are now spending about $4,000 a video. Though a joke compared to videos abroad (costs usually starting from $50,000 to a few million), local artists make these videos with no intentions of making the money back. Without sponsors, they just don't make any videos. Frustrating situation in such a small market.

Burglar

There seems to be a rash of burglaries in Yerevan, 2 friends were hit yesterday while they were out of their homes. The locks were busted and cash, and one or two smaller more valuable items were taken. I was just telling one of the friends who got burgled how safe I feel here, and although this is still not a physical threat, it is still really disturbing... the police say it is going on with others too, not just a couple of Diasporans, so it appears to be a coincidence that they were both hit within 24hrs.

So when the police were at my friends apartment, her elderly landlord came as well. The place was a mess as they had pulled things out of drawers, etc. The conversation was all in Armenian, and at one point my friend mentioned that the laptop being taken was one thing, but the "files inside it" were really important. The landlord told her she should look around on the floor, maybe the files had fallen out of the laptop and were among the mess...

Pot holes make a country bigger...

I just got back from a 4 day trip to Karabakh, and having been away from badly potholed roads for a while, I was reminded how much further places become when the road is a minefield of potholes. Every day was something like 8 hours of driving, and except for the new highway from Armenia to Stepanakert, and the portions of the North=South highway in Karabakh that are complete, it was some very rough going. The road that the Armenia Fund is building heads northwest, then northeast to Martakert - or will. They have not even gotten to the Sarsang Reservoir yet and winter is coming fast. I drove through Mardakert as well and am not sure what I expected to see, since the last Armenia Fund telethon was to create economic activity there, but I didn't see a change from May in any case.

I finally returned to Yerits Mankants Monastery - deep in the north of Karabakh. It is a really cool one in stunning scenery that this time was completely shrouded in clouds. There were so many helpful people along the way, it was amazing. Ended up having some cabbage soup with some soldiers, exchanging stories, and then feeling rather funny from the massive overdose of salt that was their soup. Ended up driving back to Stepanakert in the dark, through the potholes, getting lost and ending up at another military base, before making it to the familiar road. I also saw Dadivank again and took some nice pics with the fall colors. I haven't uploaded those photos on Flickr yet, but eventually will if my computer behaves long enough.

A Family Affair

My family is dispersed now all over the world. Sister is in New Jersey, brother is in Texas, cousins are in LA, New York, London, Parents are in DC and I'm now in Armenia. Despite all that, we are a tight bunch. When weddings take place, it's not just a wedding but a great opportunity for us all to come together. Thus, another one bites the dust... and the family unites. I just arrived in DC a couple days ago, but I just missed my mother who caught the early flight to LA. My father and I will join them tomorrow, as will the rest of the clan. My cousin Sharis is getting married. I'm not a fan of weddings in general, especially in LA where superficiality reigns. But given the distance, I can't wait to see everyone.

It's been a crazy couple months. As I mentioned, I've been under the weather and though my health has improved, the doctor visits increase, along with the needles they stick in me (I hate the needles). I lost a tremendous amount of weight and no matter how much I eat, I can't seem to gain it back. Well, hopefully the wedding will catch me up to speed.

On world subjects, Orhan Pamuk and the French are all over the news as Raffi mentioned. I watched a CNN interview with Pamuk, and though they pushed the genocide topic, it seemed Pamuk was reluctant to discuss it at all. Perhaps he's just trying to focus on the joyous occasion of his award and let the French talk about the rest.

On the French bill, I know there is a lot of controversy over how it restricts freedom of speech and all, but it's important to understand why this needs to happen. Facts are facts and should not be disputed. This brings us back to the reason the PBS documentary on the Armenian Genocide was pulled, given the forum to follow gave voice to a genocide denialist. The simple acceptance of the manipulation of facts should not be acceptable, especially given the fact that genocide denial has proven to result in repetition of history.

As for Armenia, aside from my being ill for so long, things have been incredible. Business has been growing at a rapid pace, I may just keep quite busy through the winter. Perhaps I wont have to worry about being bored in February. That's a relief.

On the photo front, internet in DC has spoiled me, so I've been updating photos to my website like CRAZY! Oddly, it seems the service provider has also made many changes, including the design. So my website is looking a bit different these days. Take a look, but I have plenty more to update very soon... www.digitalrailroad.net/arsineh

And finally, I started another blog that focuses purely on photos. Sometimes I just want to share a photo that speaks to me, but it doesn't call for a separate blog here, so feel free to visit www.arseyeview.blogspot.com

Armenian Genocide bill in France

Well, once again the Turks are sitting there tearing their hair out. If they shut up about the bill in France, they have no chance of blocking it and it becomes illegal to deny the Armenian Genocide in France. If they raise a fuss, which is the route they have chosen, they create massive publicity regarding the genocide and the whole issue. So all day on CNN and BBC the Armenian Genocide and the bill have been prominent news, almost 100 years later. When will they learn that if they just stop denying it none of this would happen, and the whole region would be better off? They'd be like the Germans today, who are viewed as having made proper reparations and having properly apologized. Anyway, it's a good show... it's great to watch them squirm from the mess they've made. The bill just passed the lower house in France and now goes on to the upper house. Armenia is also moving to make it illegal to deny the genocide. I quite agree that France should make it illegal, though here I wonder if it is necessary? In any case, I do find it strange that Hrant Dink and Elif Safak are against the bill in France, saying it does not help the cause in Turkey. I cannot pretend to understand the Turkish psyche as well as them, but I am sick of Turkey being babied because of its "strategic" importance.

Here in Yerevan the temprature is cooling off, and the last of the visitors are starting to drift home. No more shorts weather for a long time. I'm already considering my winter plans :-)

Monochromosis Armeniaca

A particular subject has been bothering me for a good deal of time now, and I feel it is apt to express myself on this issue, to vent my frustrations and – of course – to take a ride on one of my favourite hobby horses.

The point in question is the fashion sense of the good people of Yerevan. In particular, the girls.

I have noticed of late an increasing trend in the young population of our capital to be clad in but a single colour. Red seems to be more preferred, but bright blue, orange and pistachio green are not far behind. On more than one occasion I have noticed boys as well, dressed in red from head to toe, shoes included. I have decided to call this phenomenon monochromosis armeniaca.

Another aspect of the Hayastan fashion sense, more noticeable in the past due to its scarcity, but not much behind now either, is wearing clothes of innumerable colours, generally clashing, mostly outlandish. It is not uncommon to see blue leather jackets alongside brown jeans, shoes with different patches on them, pink tights that go with ear-rings resembling chandeliers, and so on. (I have no desire to elaborate more on the footwear, pointy or otherwise.) Each item is a different shade, of course, and this may be referred to as hyperchromosis armeniaca, if you will.

Eight to ten years ago, monochromosis armeniaca was more evident in that everyone wore black and only black. Back then, there was very little choice indeed in clothing, and people were generally not so well off. This trend continues in the more impoverished parts of the country, but the contagion of hyperchromosis armeniaca, though at first encouraging, has slowly but surely taken less aesthetic turns.

I don’t know how to go about tackling this exactly. It might fall directly into the medical field, perhaps more psychological or sociological. The primary question is, where in Heaven’s name do these people get these clothes ? That’s easy to answer, though; just visit any old yarmarka/donavajar/bazaar, or underground passageway. You’ll be surprised, I can assure you.

Secondly, and much more importantly, WHY in Heaven’s name do these people wear such clothes ? This is indeed a far more difficult point of contention. As an outsider, I fail to see the reasoning behind such taste and I shall confess that I often go about pointing to boys and girls off the street, passing comments on their clothing, especially if I’m with spiurkahays or odars. I realise this is inappropriate, but I need to understand this, particularly because I have personally met people, individuals who are just fine, normal, khelke-klkhin, even intellectual, but who have ridiculous get-ups on them. I know there’s no arguing with taste, but there’s also an extent, a sort of norm in general of society, which Armenia seems to either transcend, transgress or perhaps simply dismiss.

In any case, there’s no denying that, at least, Yerevan is getting brighter and more colourful.

summer is over, but...

The cold autumn breeze has been blowing for a few days already. No more scorching hot days. But the tourist season has not ended yet. After the Golden Apricot Film Fest in July, the typical August craze, the Armenia-Diaspora conference, Independence day, French Frenzy in September, October is promising a new wave of tourists with it's Hye Fest Theatre Fest.

Hye Fest is not a new project. This is their fifth or sixth annual fest. They usually have production from different parts of the world. Last year, I saw a play by a Lebanese company and another by a Tbilisi team of actors. They are usually good. This year they have increased the children's section. Will see and let you know.

As far as my schedule, I've been busy with setting up the company and getting clients. We have so far a firm base. Arsineh Khachikyan, my partner and a fellow logger, and I are setting up this Marketing and PR agency which we anticipate to be one of the leaders in the field within 30 months from now. We already have a few interested investors from different parts of the world. These are exciting times.

The kids are doing great. Amassia has started school. It is called the Waldorf School. She is learning Armenian, Russian and German. She is also practicing her French at the French Club.

Guaranteed investment in Armenia

Want to invest a little or a lot in financing Armenian exports? It should pay a tidy return on your investment, and your investment has guarantees from the US government, so you won't lose your shirt. Not bad? Read more.