It was on Day 17 when I learned that one of the interns worked at an exhibition that was directly connected to the building that holds the HetQ offices. This came as a surprise, not only because the intern and I spoke regularly and had become good friends, but also because we both walked to and from our jobs at similar times.
It's hard to imagine that the tranquil blues of Caribbean seas could be found anywhere near Armenia. But, as the bus entered Sevan, shades of cerulean waves appeared between the green trees and tan stones.
Birthright is an organization that, like AGBU, has an impressive repertoire in regards to helping Armenia and Armenians. Birthright Armenia is considered an “internship enhancement” program that invites Diaspora – usually in their 20s – to stay in Armenia for a minimum of 2 months. Birthright was established in 2003, making it only 8-years-old, and far younger than the 105-year-old AGBU established in 1906.
Below is a brief list of the restaurants and cafes where we have eaten throughout our stay, and the description of their services. The following reviews are divided into three categories Service, Environment, and Food.
There was one intern among our group who was quite shy and reserved. In the first week of knowing him, I heard him say perhaps a handful of full sentences. On the night of our 13th day our group had dinner together in several groups throughout Yerevan, and had altogether decided to go out to a particular club.
One of the interns, who happens to be my roommate, has provided me with a perfect example of what would happen if an intern would endure grave misfortune during their YSIP experience.
I was already buzzed from too many glasses of red wine, yet I was sitting next to MIT Graduate and family friend, Noubar Afeyan, MIT graduate and Head of AGBU’s station in Syria, Vasken Yacoubian, and the famous virtuoso, Ara Gebogyan.
The majority of events that happened during this trip will be published in a different article in Hetq. By this time my Armenian had improved exponentially, to the point where I could say, "Yes g'rren mi patmootyoon Gyumri-ee masseen vortegh yes dzanvelem." – "I am writing a story about Gyumri where I was born."
It is on this day that our group visited Etchmiadzin, Gayane, Hripsime, and the Sardarabad museum. The first three sites were expected – .my eyes have absorbed hundreds of photographs and paintings of these three churches.