first day
Even after all this flight and lack of sleep i couldn't possibly sleep for too long knowing where i was. i woke up around 10-11 AM. And number one thing to do was to very quietly without waking the bear (Michael) up steal the suitcases into the living room and make a "mess grandiose" trying to find all the presents we had - at first for the family members then just all of them - to show. It was so much fun! i love making presents and love people who can receive presents. by this i mean people who immediately and impatiently open the present wrap up tearing it to pieces and express how much they like it and leave all the thank yous and "oh you didn't have to"s out or at least for later. I don't really remember all the stuff i got for my family. i just remember that it was a wonderful sunny morning full of joy and happy excited faces. Mom and granny liked their presents a lot and approved of everything i brought for all the friends and relatives. Aunt called around 12 asking to call her once i'd wake up. however i was put on the phone and 10 minutes later she was there. Mom and aunt took vacations to cook for us and spend all the time we'd be at home together.
Aunt loved her gifts too. I think with presents it can be something small and meaningless to other people but something very meaningful for the receiver. It shouldn't be a present you get for a tick in the list. you can try planning what to get for who but the best presents you see on spot - you just see this thing and it reminds you of somebody or something in their life. And that's what it is about - just a thing to say "hey while i was far away, i saw this and it made me think of you". anyway. too much on this :D
once aunt came home and after we were done with presents she said "well don't you want to try your favorite apple vodka?" i said "now? oh what the hell? let's do it" so we had a shot of 140 proof vodka early in the morning before breakfast. Then i went to wake Michael up to inform him the breakfast was ready. i said "and in general stop sleeping! your wife has just had vodka." he sleepily blinked at me and asked "already? oh god."
after breakfast which by the way was awesome and mom-made i tried demolishing the mess i just caused. as a result it seemed to me i was lacking 2 pairs of shoes. we all decided that they were taken out by the customs since they had bigger heels and there was a story of some lady having a bomb in her heels. later when Mike woke up me, him, and mom went up the street to get me new shoes and other stuff. later i found the lacking shoes - they were lost among the plastic bags with presents :D
i decided to spend the first day with the family and not to announce our arrival to the world. However i did call one of my best friends - Helen.i called from my old number which my mom saved (and which i will always use while in Armenia so yes don't delete it from your phones). Helen upon seeing my number on her cellphone display got overly excited she picked up and said:
- wait a second i'll go somewhere without people to scream... Meh my grandparents are in the living room. let me see the kitchen. OMG there are people everywhere! ok let me go to the bathroom.
i was waiting on the phone smiling and waiting for her. i thought she just wanted privacy. but once she got to the bathroom she really did scream on top of her lungs and i almost dropped the phone and had to hold it away from my ear.
-Woooooo-hoooooo you are here! OMG! i can't believe it! how are you?? how was your flight? how is Michael? when did you arrive?... and many other questions. when she stopped asking i already forgot what the first questions were :D
but it was so so sweet to hear all that to feel how important you are for somebody and how happy they are about your arrival. The funny thing with Helen is that she's actually a couple months older than me. but it always feels like i'm her older sister. we first met when we were 8. and nevertheless have a lot of differences maintained the friendship (with ons and offs) for years and now still are best friends. i don't know how she still tolerates my psychotic personality with constant adventures and troubles i ever got us both into.
All these thoughts were flickering through my mind during her tirade of questions and i was just smiling happily.
We set to meet on the next day (i believe). Right now the first couple days are kind of blurred together in my mind - i remember every detail every meeting and every face but i don't remember exactly when it happened or in what order.
Then i believe mom and aunt cooked dinner and laid the table. Grandma's lifelong friend who we all call aunt Liza arrived as well. i got her and grandma 2 absolutely identical soft blankets and both of them had such joy and excitement that it surprised even myself. Aunt Liza got me a very cute fashion jewelry ring which unfortunately was too big on my finger :( Also, aunt's husband arrived and we all sat at the table had a wonderful dinner with drinks (wine or vodka at choice). The rest of the evening i just don't remember. Probably that was it - just because of Mike waking up late the dinner was late too and lasted for a long time.
One of the things that makes such a mess in my memories is that i didn't take a single picture for the first couple days. i had my camera with me all the time but i was so busy with enjoying conversations and finally seeing people that i would remember about the camera only after everything would be over. So the next 1 or 2 posts will still be without photos. But i'm getting there - then you will have A LOT of photos from the trip :D
Anyway.. i'm wrapping up here and will continue tomorrow (not a promise but probability :D )
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
trip to Armenia - part 1
The Flight And Arrival
So the day has come - a beautiful morning, cloudless blue-blue sky, and the joyful anticipation of a big adventure and a warm feeling about going home. We got up early and did last second packing of devices and small things and were all set waiting for Mike's dad to pick us up and drive us to the airport. We sat outside if the house and had a cigarette and saw Dave arriving. he helped us load the suitcases (3 main pieces and 2 carry-ons) into the car. i somehow fitted on the backseat with the carry-on stuff. Thankfully i was small enough to feel comfortable and have enough room.
I threw one last look and was ready to go. Michael asked what we had forgotten. i said "earrings" and laughed because i wasn't going back for that. However later as it turned out we forgot one more thing - toothbrushes; but we packed the toothpaste :D. oh well. Then as it was found out Michael didn't remember which rout to take to get to the airport and he called some people at work who couldn't stop laughing - Michael asking for directions how to get to the airport - it's the guy who goes there regularly twice a year at least! However it all was resolved quickly and we were on time. Mike's dad said bye and we walked through the airport gate, checked in the luggage and went through security. The security officer smiled at me and asked me to go through the metal detector. i did without pinging. then i turn around and see Michael standing in a glass camera being monitored with a manual metal detector and asked some questions. I couldn't stop but let out a giggle - of course why would they want to pay closer attention to an immigrant girl from a tiny country between Iran and Turkey? no, instead they should be very careful with natural born Americans!
Anyway. We got on board of a tiny plane where Mike had to duck down a bit not to hit his head. There were 2 orthodox Jews one of which was trying to fit his carry-on bag into a compartment that was twice smaller. He was trying to do so after he was asked to not take the bag with him - it should've gone under the plane. he ignored the girl telling him to do so, he ignored the steward repeatedly asking him to give the bag to the girl. i guess he had a Jewish treasure in it and couldn't put it away even for a second. It was annoying. Finally he was all set (he gave the bag to the girl) and we took off.
50 minutes later we were in New York. I was so happy to be off of plane with the Jew and to part ways with him. We had a 5 hour layover so could spend some time walking around and have some food. I got some sushi rolls which surprisingly were very good. then i got online and talked to mom and friends for a while. and then it was time to go! big airbus... long 9.5 hour flight (or 8.5 don't remember)... and 20 orthodox Jews on the plane!!! oh my god! that was horrible! it was a night-time flight so the staff turned off the main lights and tried not to interrupt passengers sleep. but all was in vain since the Jews were socializing, yelling something across the hallway and constantly running around. so no i didn't sleep at all (unlike Mike - lucky guy).
When we arrived in Moscow it was 11 am Moscow time and i felt really tired and beaten up. i felt sick to my stomach too and the thoughts of food seemed simply disgusting. I had great expectations for the Moscow airport... and was very disappointed with Sheremetyevo - one of the 3 international airports of Moscow. It was small, plain and boring; with a giant section of make-up and perfumes. perfume is the last thing you want at the airport - it made me feel sicker. i had a cup of coffee and Michael had some food. we sat for a bit and relaxed as much as that was possible. i only wanted to sleep and was calling myself names in my mind for not sleeping on the long flight. Moreover i slept for 3-5 hours the previous night - just was too excited and making sure everything was taken care of. at that point however the only thing i could do was hope that i'd sleep on the way to Armenia. Those 9.5 hours that we spent in Moscow airport were one of the longest in my life. There was nothing to do, my laptop died pretty soon, and the thought that the trip was almost over and i was so close to home was not making things easy.
When we just arrived my hands were shaking badly. but at least one good thing about Sheremetyevo (Shit-emetyevo) was that it had many many smoking sections all over the place. i stole a cigarette from Mike's pack (they are very strong - Marlboro blue) and could barely not cough. but i succeeded and by the end of the cigarette my hands weren't shaking and i decided to have another cup of coffee. then we sat together, trying to read and trying to get a tiny bit comfortable on uncomfortable chairs. yeah good luck with that.
Slowly it got dark and the hour was coming close. there started appearing various armenians and other people. the waiting area for gates 20, 21, 22 was the same. it was packed with people who all had black hair and dark eyes. suddenly it was announced that the plane to Istanbul, Turkey had arrived. Michael giggled and reminded of that Turkish restaurant with the waiter suggesting ME TURKISH coffee. i started saying mean-ish things about turks and azeris, how none of them have no culture and whatever ancient stuff they have on their territory was built by others (not only Armenians). I said Greeks hated turks too... i said "huh i wonder why azeris need an airport? to fly sheep from one end to the other?". i was just killing time not thinking about what i was saying and feeling comfortable about bold statements since i was among Armenians... or so i thought. then half of the hall got up to get boarded on the plane that was leaving for Istanbul from the other gate. and most of those people were turks. i felt really ashamed and uncomfortable. i was making jokes at their expense and oh well being overly grumpy about them since i was so tired... yeah i just wanted to be swallowed by the ground. Michael couldn't stop laughing of course.
Then we got on board and again those were loooong 3 hours of flight. i was going home! i was on my way... didn't sleep again and didn't eat.. again. kept peeking out of the window. Then i saw the lights of the city i was born in. i got thrilled. i knew what was going to happen soon. i turned to Mike and said, "you know, at the airport when i see my mom and aunt i'm going to cry." the reply was:
- oh i'm sure! that would be weired if you didn't but i'm sure about one more thing - that you are going to cry a lot earlier. actually for example how about now?
- zzvanq..,- was the only thing i could whisper and turned away. 2 tears came out of my eyes and then i was fine - i pulled myself together. then we landed. i WAS at home! as soon as we left the plain and started walking towards control i suddenly (even for myself) started crying. Very silently - just tears kept coming out of my eyes. i wanted to smile but was crying instead. the corners of my lips kept going up and down at an enormous speed which should've looked funny. I was so happy that Michael couldn't see it as he was walking in front of me and we were in a rush. then one of the girls who was working at the airport almost jumped at me asking "what happened??? what's wrong???" i waved hands at her meaning "no nothing i can't talk as i'm wining like a baby" she somehow understood it all and was like "oh.." and stepped aside. And then.. when i thought i was about to stop i saw black and yellow colors of Beeline (one of the cellphone operators) on the wall in front of me. There was one word on that wall - "welcome" in Armenian. And then i lost it. i started crying so badly and couldn't stop. Got to the passport control and the guy in military form starred at me. then peeked at the girl in the distance behind me and pointing at me with his thumb informed her "She's crying". it was funny i would laugh if i could. then he glanced at my passport and said:
-oh.. you're armenian.. and have been in the US for 9 months. awww don't cry if you want we will send you back.
-what? where?
-to America
-are you laughing at me? i came here for only 2 weeks and then will go back anyway! don't send me anywhere!
that's where he realized that i was actually crying about Armenia. i think he thought i was crying because i was deported from America or something. he probably couldn't understand why such a young girl leaving in America would cry so badly about Armenia. Well, i really didn't think i would cry or at least not as bad and not as soon as i did. I thought i'd cry on seeing mom and aunt. probably it was worse because i was lacking sleep and food and underwent all that stress of a 29 hour flight (with layovers). but oh well. the rest was quick - we got our luggage (nothing was lost surprisingly) and walked through the door...
and there they were - my mom and aunt and probably other people. mom's first question was "what's wrong? what happened?" i managed to explain that everything was fine and nothing bad happened during the trip. Hovik was there too. And aunt's husband Sergey. When we were introduced i said "very nice to meet you" while i was still crying which was really funny.
then aunt said "hey really stop crying.. oh by the way remember you wanted that apple vodka (140 proof)? i went to the regions and got it for you! it's awaiting you guys in the freezer!" my reaction was "really? oh that's great" and i smiled and i stopped crying. no no i'm not an alcoholic :D just the question and interaction helped me snap out of being such a cry-face :D
(I'm finishing, be patient)
then we got home, i saw grandma, and my birds. i accidentally set one of the birds free :D but we caught her quickly. Then i took a shower and changed, after what we sat by a coffee table, had the best Armenian coffee in my life, Armenian cognac with toasts like "welcome" and "good to see you", and some candies and cake (i think). then i went into my room and noticed a new glass table there. then i glanced at the wall and saw that the wallpaper had changed, looked up and saw that the old lustre was gone and the ceiling was redesigned completely! (the next morning i realized the window got smaller and was replaced too). Mom redid the whole room making it so much nicer and more comfortable. she kept all my books in the same order though and it all looked different but all the same at the same time. Then we went to bed and i finally got some sleep. peaceful sleep. i was at home...
So the day has come - a beautiful morning, cloudless blue-blue sky, and the joyful anticipation of a big adventure and a warm feeling about going home. We got up early and did last second packing of devices and small things and were all set waiting for Mike's dad to pick us up and drive us to the airport. We sat outside if the house and had a cigarette and saw Dave arriving. he helped us load the suitcases (3 main pieces and 2 carry-ons) into the car. i somehow fitted on the backseat with the carry-on stuff. Thankfully i was small enough to feel comfortable and have enough room.
I threw one last look and was ready to go. Michael asked what we had forgotten. i said "earrings" and laughed because i wasn't going back for that. However later as it turned out we forgot one more thing - toothbrushes; but we packed the toothpaste :D. oh well. Then as it was found out Michael didn't remember which rout to take to get to the airport and he called some people at work who couldn't stop laughing - Michael asking for directions how to get to the airport - it's the guy who goes there regularly twice a year at least! However it all was resolved quickly and we were on time. Mike's dad said bye and we walked through the airport gate, checked in the luggage and went through security. The security officer smiled at me and asked me to go through the metal detector. i did without pinging. then i turn around and see Michael standing in a glass camera being monitored with a manual metal detector and asked some questions. I couldn't stop but let out a giggle - of course why would they want to pay closer attention to an immigrant girl from a tiny country between Iran and Turkey? no, instead they should be very careful with natural born Americans!
Anyway. We got on board of a tiny plane where Mike had to duck down a bit not to hit his head. There were 2 orthodox Jews one of which was trying to fit his carry-on bag into a compartment that was twice smaller. He was trying to do so after he was asked to not take the bag with him - it should've gone under the plane. he ignored the girl telling him to do so, he ignored the steward repeatedly asking him to give the bag to the girl. i guess he had a Jewish treasure in it and couldn't put it away even for a second. It was annoying. Finally he was all set (he gave the bag to the girl) and we took off.
50 minutes later we were in New York. I was so happy to be off of plane with the Jew and to part ways with him. We had a 5 hour layover so could spend some time walking around and have some food. I got some sushi rolls which surprisingly were very good. then i got online and talked to mom and friends for a while. and then it was time to go! big airbus... long 9.5 hour flight (or 8.5 don't remember)... and 20 orthodox Jews on the plane!!! oh my god! that was horrible! it was a night-time flight so the staff turned off the main lights and tried not to interrupt passengers sleep. but all was in vain since the Jews were socializing, yelling something across the hallway and constantly running around. so no i didn't sleep at all (unlike Mike - lucky guy).
When we arrived in Moscow it was 11 am Moscow time and i felt really tired and beaten up. i felt sick to my stomach too and the thoughts of food seemed simply disgusting. I had great expectations for the Moscow airport... and was very disappointed with Sheremetyevo - one of the 3 international airports of Moscow. It was small, plain and boring; with a giant section of make-up and perfumes. perfume is the last thing you want at the airport - it made me feel sicker. i had a cup of coffee and Michael had some food. we sat for a bit and relaxed as much as that was possible. i only wanted to sleep and was calling myself names in my mind for not sleeping on the long flight. Moreover i slept for 3-5 hours the previous night - just was too excited and making sure everything was taken care of. at that point however the only thing i could do was hope that i'd sleep on the way to Armenia. Those 9.5 hours that we spent in Moscow airport were one of the longest in my life. There was nothing to do, my laptop died pretty soon, and the thought that the trip was almost over and i was so close to home was not making things easy.
When we just arrived my hands were shaking badly. but at least one good thing about Sheremetyevo (Shit-emetyevo) was that it had many many smoking sections all over the place. i stole a cigarette from Mike's pack (they are very strong - Marlboro blue) and could barely not cough. but i succeeded and by the end of the cigarette my hands weren't shaking and i decided to have another cup of coffee. then we sat together, trying to read and trying to get a tiny bit comfortable on uncomfortable chairs. yeah good luck with that.
Slowly it got dark and the hour was coming close. there started appearing various armenians and other people. the waiting area for gates 20, 21, 22 was the same. it was packed with people who all had black hair and dark eyes. suddenly it was announced that the plane to Istanbul, Turkey had arrived. Michael giggled and reminded of that Turkish restaurant with the waiter suggesting ME TURKISH coffee. i started saying mean-ish things about turks and azeris, how none of them have no culture and whatever ancient stuff they have on their territory was built by others (not only Armenians). I said Greeks hated turks too... i said "huh i wonder why azeris need an airport? to fly sheep from one end to the other?". i was just killing time not thinking about what i was saying and feeling comfortable about bold statements since i was among Armenians... or so i thought. then half of the hall got up to get boarded on the plane that was leaving for Istanbul from the other gate. and most of those people were turks. i felt really ashamed and uncomfortable. i was making jokes at their expense and oh well being overly grumpy about them since i was so tired... yeah i just wanted to be swallowed by the ground. Michael couldn't stop laughing of course.
Then we got on board and again those were loooong 3 hours of flight. i was going home! i was on my way... didn't sleep again and didn't eat.. again. kept peeking out of the window. Then i saw the lights of the city i was born in. i got thrilled. i knew what was going to happen soon. i turned to Mike and said, "you know, at the airport when i see my mom and aunt i'm going to cry." the reply was:
- oh i'm sure! that would be weired if you didn't but i'm sure about one more thing - that you are going to cry a lot earlier. actually for example how about now?
- zzvanq..,- was the only thing i could whisper and turned away. 2 tears came out of my eyes and then i was fine - i pulled myself together. then we landed. i WAS at home! as soon as we left the plain and started walking towards control i suddenly (even for myself) started crying. Very silently - just tears kept coming out of my eyes. i wanted to smile but was crying instead. the corners of my lips kept going up and down at an enormous speed which should've looked funny. I was so happy that Michael couldn't see it as he was walking in front of me and we were in a rush. then one of the girls who was working at the airport almost jumped at me asking "what happened??? what's wrong???" i waved hands at her meaning "no nothing i can't talk as i'm wining like a baby" she somehow understood it all and was like "oh.." and stepped aside. And then.. when i thought i was about to stop i saw black and yellow colors of Beeline (one of the cellphone operators) on the wall in front of me. There was one word on that wall - "welcome" in Armenian. And then i lost it. i started crying so badly and couldn't stop. Got to the passport control and the guy in military form starred at me. then peeked at the girl in the distance behind me and pointing at me with his thumb informed her "She's crying". it was funny i would laugh if i could. then he glanced at my passport and said:
-oh.. you're armenian.. and have been in the US for 9 months. awww don't cry if you want we will send you back.
-what? where?
-to America
-are you laughing at me? i came here for only 2 weeks and then will go back anyway! don't send me anywhere!
that's where he realized that i was actually crying about Armenia. i think he thought i was crying because i was deported from America or something. he probably couldn't understand why such a young girl leaving in America would cry so badly about Armenia. Well, i really didn't think i would cry or at least not as bad and not as soon as i did. I thought i'd cry on seeing mom and aunt. probably it was worse because i was lacking sleep and food and underwent all that stress of a 29 hour flight (with layovers). but oh well. the rest was quick - we got our luggage (nothing was lost surprisingly) and walked through the door...
and there they were - my mom and aunt and probably other people. mom's first question was "what's wrong? what happened?" i managed to explain that everything was fine and nothing bad happened during the trip. Hovik was there too. And aunt's husband Sergey. When we were introduced i said "very nice to meet you" while i was still crying which was really funny.
then aunt said "hey really stop crying.. oh by the way remember you wanted that apple vodka (140 proof)? i went to the regions and got it for you! it's awaiting you guys in the freezer!" my reaction was "really? oh that's great" and i smiled and i stopped crying. no no i'm not an alcoholic :D just the question and interaction helped me snap out of being such a cry-face :D
(I'm finishing, be patient)
then we got home, i saw grandma, and my birds. i accidentally set one of the birds free :D but we caught her quickly. Then i took a shower and changed, after what we sat by a coffee table, had the best Armenian coffee in my life, Armenian cognac with toasts like "welcome" and "good to see you", and some candies and cake (i think). then i went into my room and noticed a new glass table there. then i glanced at the wall and saw that the wallpaper had changed, looked up and saw that the old lustre was gone and the ceiling was redesigned completely! (the next morning i realized the window got smaller and was replaced too). Mom redid the whole room making it so much nicer and more comfortable. she kept all my books in the same order though and it all looked different but all the same at the same time. Then we went to bed and i finally got some sleep. peaceful sleep. i was at home...
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