Everything is relative.

I had the opposite experience of what Kojian just described, yet still similar to something out of a movie. However, my incident happened so quickly, I didn't even realize it until after the fact. Fortunately, I did not lose my camera and shall share a play-by-play presentation of the events that took place. I just hope my parents don't read this before I talk to them, but if they do, Dad, I had every intention of telling you first.

So, I was on this trip with Kojian and 6 other adventurers into the deep canyons of Northeast Armenia, somewhere around Ijevan. You must read the end to grasp the moral of the story.

The trip began with a long hike along the canyon where one false step would plummet us to a nasty crushing death. It's entirely possible that this was the experience my cell phone had, but we will never know. Rest in Peace dear cell phone, you served me well for a year. Make that Accident #1. Though, I never knew when, where or how it happened. It was simply missing when we arrived at the camping sight. S

Accident #2. Once we arrived, we decided to rest, swim and then continue hiking towards the caves nearby. As we hiked through deep forests, we found a watefall gorge and decided to decend down into it. As we're all exploring around, I started to notice Anoush holding her hand to her head. It seems a rock the size of at least a baseball tumbled down the hillside and landed on her head. Oh the fortune we were having on this trip. Apparently the bump was the size of Ararat, but she seemed okay so we continued onward.

After exploring crystal-coated caves, Aztec-like carvings and evidence of life from the caveman days, climbing under and over ancient dwellings and discovering little corners and holes, we finally made it back to the camp sight for an incredible Khorovadz (BBQ) dinner prepared by our hosts, and hanging around a camp fire bonding with the hosts. Eventually, we all piled into a massive tent and slept like sardines.

Accident #3. Next morning, we wake up to another beautiful day. Anoush's swelling had gone down and I came to terms with the loss of my cell phone. We decided to have one last dip in the river, but a little further up where the waterfalls were (different from the sight of Accident #2). I joined in as the previous day was just too cold for me. I suited up and followed. At first I was absolutely unwilling to jump in. The reactions of the others from the freshly melted mountain snow water that was rushing over them was not exactly my idea of a light swim. But eventually we reached the highest waterfall where it was now or never. I stepped down, took one deep breathe and dipped in from head to toe at the bottom of the waterfall. It wasn't too bad, but still no light swim. At this point it was just me and Maro as the others were done freezing themselves. The guide was helping us cross slippery rocks to continue up the waterfall. We climbed up the side where the water was less and found our way to the top where the water was gushing, and planted ourselves and what appeared to be the most dangerous spot... all for a great photo op (which sits in Kojian's camera in the donkey gorge). I though 'phew' once I escalated up and realized I didn't fall to my death after that. The guide found one more spot at the top where it was flat, to show us another great little pool. He guided me across more slippery rocks and told me to wait as he went to get Maro. Before a thought even crossed my mind, I raised my head, felt around to figure out what happened, realized I was horizontal and that there was a tooth piece floating around in my mouth. I felt more to realize where the piece had come from. My teeth had broken my fall. I couldn't figure out how it happened because I had very little pain. I recalled something of reaching my hand out and it slipping out of the way. The guide rushed over to find me toothless, but conscious. He was somewhat relieved, but profusely apologetic.

He carefully guided me back down to the others where they were very nervous to see what happened. Apparently the images I had put in their heads was much worse. I didn't realize it at the time, but it could have been a million times worse. We went back to the camp sight, cracked a few jokes (no pun intended), started to pack up and headed back to civilization.

Accident #4. Raffi's camera. Along our hike, the guide started telling us about "Eshoon satkatz deghuh" (where the donkeys go to die) and before I knew it, I saw Raffi watching his camera join the donkeys. All the photos, all the moments that couldn't be recovered... well, maybe there's hope.

We walked to the end, and the strangest thing occurred to us. Despite all these accidents, this was still what of the most exhilarating, incredible and beautiful experiences we all had. Though I lost my phone, all it meant was contacting everyone and regaining the phone #s I had before... a chance to touch base with everyone again. Anoush's head is back to normal. The simple fact that the only thing damaged in my fall was my teeth is almost a miracle considering I was steps away from falling to my death and the injury could have been a million times worse, and of course, the loss of great photos is difficult, but in the end, we all made it out in one piece... for the most part. Sacrifices aside, the experience was one of the best I've had in years. The sacrifices themselves even gave me a realization that everything is relative. Since dentistry is quite advanced in Armenia, I shall be back in one piece in no time.

You can see all the photos from this trip at the 2 following links:

The Adventurer Life (Part I)
The Adventurer Life (Part II)