🇦🇲 Armenian Special
Hello, friends!
Today’s email is a bit different because I have moved to another country for a while. I have Armenian roots, therefore many relatives here, and my uncle-in-law’s parents (I’ll call them grandma and grandpa) welcomed me to stay with them in a small town called Gavar. This is the 5th country I have lived in and my first time in town, so let’s explore together.
👀 What to look at
I’m not very close with my uncle’s parents as they only visit us once a year, if that. So I didn’t know much about them, but the first thing I noticed when I entered their house is they seem to like art and books. Especially art, because there is at least one painting in every room. I’ve learned that grandma is responsible for that.
Turns out grandma enjoys culture: she likes theater, used to work in a museum and then at a local gallery. Over the years she bought paintings from exhibitions held at the gallery and gathered a small collection that is now hanging around the house. I don’t have other family members like that, so I thought it’s very lovely. Always cherish the passionate in your family ☝️
On a side note, I think any house or flat must have a nice cozy place to relax and read. Thankfully, I can do it in this comfy majestic chair beside a piano:
But let’s get out of the house now. Take a walk with grandpa.
We live in the central area (fancy) but any part of town is within walking distance, even the outskirts. Everything worth looking at is near the central square, which has the biggest local landmark: the church. Armenian churches have their own unique architecture which you probably wouldn’t find anywhere else.
Haven’t entered it yet but given how 2022 is treating me so far, it probably wouldn’t hurt to pop in and light a candle.
Generally, the central square is the only place to hang around, go to shops, banks, library, museum, gallery. There is also a theater and event venue but these days nothing’s going on there, unfortunately.
Oh, there’s also a seafood shop. Which is just a room with 2 swimming pools full of fish. If you want to buy some, the man in the picture (below) grabs a long pole with a net attached to it, dips it into a pool, pulls it out with some fish caught and dumps them into a metal container on the floor. He then takes a wooden stick and beats the shit out of them by hitting the fish in the head until they’re dead right in front of you. Then he casually puts them in a bag, hands it over to you, wishes you a good day, and off you go.
As we complete our walk, me and grandpa approach a nice little river. If you walk long enough you can reach the biggest Armenian lake, Sevan. And if you’re lucky, you’ll see a herd of cows going about their day. Really nice place for a stroll while listening to a podcast.
So that’s Gavar. I realize many people would’ve disliked it because it’s really almost a village, in the middle of nowhere, dead economically and socially, with nothing going on. It would’ve been nice if the opposite was true but that’s the reality. And personally, I don’t mind it. I’d be fine pretty much anywhere as long as I have:
access to books, films, and podcasts
access to music + having a guitar with me (which I don’t right now😔)
places to walk around and explore (finding beauty even when it’s not apparent is a nice skill to have)
comfortable house or apartment to live in
Conclusion: I’m a bit of a grandpa myself.
P.S. a special mention has to be made about my uncle-in-law. Without him my journey would’ve been very different, probably would’ve ended up in a cheap dusty flat instead of a nice house with too much food to eat. If anybody knows how to chill in style, it’s definitely him.
🎧 What to listen to
One of the best pop songs ever, and definitely THE best song by an artist with Armenian roots (here's the second best). It turns out Believe was released on Cher’s 22nd studio album!! That’s how long it took her to come up with her biggest hit. Crazy🤯
💡 What to think about
Quote of the week:
“So how come you’re not at the social?”
“Oh, only the most antisocial have to go to an event actually called one.”