Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Little Armenia in Paris

I know how this trips go - hectic and full with impressions and events. so i will try to reflect as things occur...

i arrived in Paris in the morning. had about 1 hour till the flight. it got delayed, then again. all smoking areas were closed. last cigarette was in atlanta. i walked to the end of the terminal and saw some guy who i knew was a smoker with the same problem. i questioned myself why i was so sure that he smoked then i realized he had a cigarette in his hand. i addressed him in english ready to switch to french. he just said "armenian". feeling of relief. he said he found a "spot". we went downstairs and smoked by some massage chairs. no detectors went off and that cigarette tasted so good... the forbidden fruit is sweet.

his name was Sahak, he was 38, has lived in Paris for about 20 years. he said it's a shame i don't have a visa or he would've given me a tour around the city. a couple hours later the flight was canceled and the crowd was told to go down to "air france" desk. transit passengers were to get hotel vouchers and visas if needed. everybody else was told "well if you are flying from Paris you must have some place to go to. so bye".

People had visas with 1 entry (so as soon as you go through customs at the airport your visa is annulled). People were calling other people, figuring it all together. those who were to get rooms were offering a guest place to others.

people were dead tired, hungry, thirsty (the terminal was shut down, there was no food, no drinks, not even enough spots to sit which we gave to older people). but people stuck together. eventually in 6 hours everybody got a voucher and was headed to the hotel. 90% of passengers on the bus were armenians which made it funny - if a local was to get on the bus they looked confused.

We got to the hotel at 10 PM. restaurant was to close at 11. we went in at 10.30. had food, wine, and conversations about personal lives and politics, about science and technology, funny stories and more wine.

i felt home. i was in a foreign country under such circumstances... but i felt home. at first i was starting to stir the waters and have a group go tour Paris at night and even thought that i could go by myself. but in a couple minutes i just knew i wasn't going anywhere. i knew i wasn't trading a piece of world-famous piece of metal for that company of people that circumstances brought together. kids, young people, middle-aged, old people... they had one similarity - they were armenian. which means no matter how bad things go each and every one of those people will help you, will do everything for you - from giving you a shelter to sleep and money with no return, no expectations, just because you are armenian and they CAN help you. they have been there and somebody did the same for them.

Sahak gave me his phone and i texted my mom to let her know i was fine. i went upstairs to his room to return the phone. he asked if i could stay for a couple. i considered going into some guy's room who i barely knew in a foreign country. a voice in my head whispered "he's armenian". i was almost ashamed of thinking what if he has bad intentions. i walked in with no hesitation. we talked for a bit then some other guy came in as well. we all smoked together in a non-smoking room, then i went back to my room and fell asleep.

even though it was unfortunate circumstances... i was happy. i was happy to be there and experience that. i was happy to see people be so nice to each other, do all that from an open heart. life is unfair and bitter too often and when you see human decency, kindness, something good - you have to value it, praise it, appreciate it... encourage it. i fell asleep with no doubts, no fears, no concerns. i knew i wasn't alone. i knew i had those people. it felt good to see people care for each other.

at 5.30 AM i was woken up by a phone call. the reception accidentally called me 1 hour earlier than they should have. i somehow managed to have a full conversation in french. it shocked me a bit. i haven't spoken french in years... but it all came back. in my mind i thanked all my teachers for giving me the knowledge, for teaching me.

i had a hot shower, felt fresh and rested even though i only slept for 4.5 hours. slowly people started crawling out of their rooms and having breakfast. some fruit some yogurt, cheese, coffee for breakfast. quite a few people asked me if i already had breakfast, made sure i ate well, and that everything was good.

we were at the airport by 9 AM. some guy left all of his stuff including his wallet with me. Sahak bought me coffee. i tried paying him back. i said i had american currency and asked how much i should give him. he laughed at me and asked if everyone was so crazy in america and that i must be joking.

the plane was to take off at 11. it was delayed for 1.5 hours because an armenian older lady was taken somewhere else by mistake and we said we have to wait for her.

at 8.30 i arrived in yerevan. 24 hours later than expected from the beginning of the trip. I know i added a few gray hair on quite a few people's heads due to lack of communication... but i would never trade this experience for anything in the world. my aunt brought me gorgeous bouquet of roses to the airport. i was home. my family expected me to be tired and upset.. not smiling from ear to ear and hyper-active. the rest is history as they say.

and now i have to get ready as i have a very saturated agenda for today. friends and family demand my time and attention and i am ready to give it to them to the last drop. Life is good. the day is sunny and i can put my hand on my heart and say i'm happy. viva Yerevan! (et Paris mon cher ami)