On Aspersions and Celestial Diversions
So, there are a fair few things an outsider finds strange in this country. Of course, that is true for any country, any foreign society, but, as an Armenian, you would think that your idea of "normal" would pass just fine in Armenia. We all know only too well, however, that that is not true. At all.
Sigh...
Case in point: this ancient practice of "spreading water around". Have you noticed how, just randomly, in the day, someone - usually a middle-aged lady - just gets up and spreads water around a shop or café or wherever ? I never quite understood it. What is the point of that, exactly ? The most common method to undertake this act is to dip a broom in a bucket of water and then just fling the broom around. Controlled flings, I grant you, but quite pointless, in my opinion, all the same. The more advanced water-spreaders have, in recent years, taken to using hoses. Progress.
Now, if the water had some miuron in it (chrism/holy oil), that would make perfect sense and would certainly get my approval. Every pavement in the country would be constantly blessed, and that would probably ultimately make us the most pious nation on the planet. Such is not the case, however.
Another thing I am far from comprehending around here is this obsession with putting on a fireworks display every other night. And it's always the exact, same fireworks. Always. The exact same. This is not an exaggeration, even when I say "every other night".
I had some friends with me during Independence Day last year, and, where they come from, there's this huge, HUGE fireworks display during New Year's, lasting perhaps hours on end, or whatever... On our September 21st last year - fifteenth anniversary and all - we had a real "treat", in that there were four fireworks sets going off simultaneously. Four of them, exactly the same, being over and done with within five minutes. It was a bit embarrassing.
Last night was the real kicker, though. It's almost ten pm and I can see some bright blasts in the distance. This is Yerevan, late June, however, so you know what that means... It's still daylight! Oh, okay, more like twilight, but it looked utterly ridiculous, putting on a fireworks display without waiting for the Sun to go down...!
Sigh...
Case in point: this ancient practice of "spreading water around". Have you noticed how, just randomly, in the day, someone - usually a middle-aged lady - just gets up and spreads water around a shop or café or wherever ? I never quite understood it. What is the point of that, exactly ? The most common method to undertake this act is to dip a broom in a bucket of water and then just fling the broom around. Controlled flings, I grant you, but quite pointless, in my opinion, all the same. The more advanced water-spreaders have, in recent years, taken to using hoses. Progress.
Now, if the water had some miuron in it (chrism/holy oil), that would make perfect sense and would certainly get my approval. Every pavement in the country would be constantly blessed, and that would probably ultimately make us the most pious nation on the planet. Such is not the case, however.
Another thing I am far from comprehending around here is this obsession with putting on a fireworks display every other night. And it's always the exact, same fireworks. Always. The exact same. This is not an exaggeration, even when I say "every other night".
I had some friends with me during Independence Day last year, and, where they come from, there's this huge, HUGE fireworks display during New Year's, lasting perhaps hours on end, or whatever... On our September 21st last year - fifteenth anniversary and all - we had a real "treat", in that there were four fireworks sets going off simultaneously. Four of them, exactly the same, being over and done with within five minutes. It was a bit embarrassing.
Last night was the real kicker, though. It's almost ten pm and I can see some bright blasts in the distance. This is Yerevan, late June, however, so you know what that means... It's still daylight! Oh, okay, more like twilight, but it looked utterly ridiculous, putting on a fireworks display without waiting for the Sun to go down...!
posted by Nareg at 11:41 AM
7 Comments:
Nareg,
i always thought that people "spread water around" for two main reasons: to clean off the dust and hopefully cool the area from summer heat if it makes sense...
fireworks obsession - i think people like to show off their wealth and bring importance to their event or celebration... i just don't understand why people spend so much money on fireworks or even luxary cars versus using/saving the same money for much much more exciting stuff like traveling...
and as to the early twilight fireworks before the Sun went down - i think those fireworks were in honor of the Sun -:)
Hayk, I've totally heard that one before, but I completely, completely don't understand how in Heaven's name sprinkling water around "settles dust". Cooling off, maybe. Settling dust, makes no sense to me.
Sprinkling water definitely settles dust...in fact, in construction sites here in the US, after a day's work, you are supposed to sprinkle water to settle the dust.
The fireworks though is the typical Armenian cultural trait called...showing off!
The water is for settling dust. It's also practiced in Syria and other dusty cities around the world.
I've heard fireworks have been used by governments for centuries to lighten up the moods of unhappy citizens throughout parts of Europe. I can only assume that's the reason why we have it here in Yerevan almost 7 days a week. Afterall, apparently we Armenians are one of the most unhappy races in the world.
10pm is not that bad Narek. I once saw fireworks around 7pm. Still better than the ones the city has after midnight. Cafes aren't allowed to make noise after 11pm, but the city can make all the racket they want any time of the night.
hmm
well the best fireworks ive seen have always been in yerevan., I guess i have only seen crap ones?
I am always impressed with the ones i see in yerevan..
and yea the sprinkling water is for dust.. the city has vans that do this first thing in the morning in the streets too.. i ts just a simplified version without water vans i guess lol
Nareg you should be used to having things planned every other day by now :p
aha Der Hova and Nareg - it settles the dust.
The fireworks - why not??? Why not celebrate every night? For a country that has suffered so much, every day should be a celebration that 1.It is independant and 2.That it is progressing and thriving!!
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