Armenia has been in the news lately. It's pretty exciting for me. If you had asked me if I cared 4 years ago, my answer would have been, "No, not really."
It's a different story today. A few years ago, I found out that my grandfather on my mom's side had been orphaned at 2 years old because of the genocide. They killed his whole family. Well, almost. He found out years later that he had a sister outside of the country and he wasn't allowed to see her because of the Soviet rule at the time. He died without meeting her.
My grandmother on my dad's side also lost all of her family. She grew up in a French missionary where she learned French fluently and kept until she was of age.
All but one of my grandparents were orphaned during that time.
I'd like to show you the country of my origin. People don't have any idea what the country is like. They must think it's a middle eastern country that has nothing to offer. It's neither middle eastern nor is it empty of all life. I was there once, 10 years ago. Let me show you a bit of the country now:
A church from the 4th century, I believe. In the background is Mt. Ararat (now a part of Turkey, but the biggest part of Armenian history until it was taken away).
Yerevan at night
Beautiful image of a church
The city again
Kiosk with some writing (I should really learn to write and read)
13th century Monastery with Khachkars (Khachkar literally means cross-stone)
Woman reading the paper
Government building at night
Mourning the assassination of Hrant Dink
View of the Marriott in the town center
Another view of the town center. The kids go swimming in the very large fountains
Kids swimming
Echmiadzin, the holiest site in Armenia. In 2000 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Outskirts of Armenia
Streets of Yerevan
Armenian girls probably from the mostly untouched Highlands
Kids playing in a chess tournament
Well, that's all I have to show for now.
Read about the Armenian Genocide.
It's a different story today. A few years ago, I found out that my grandfather on my mom's side had been orphaned at 2 years old because of the genocide. They killed his whole family. Well, almost. He found out years later that he had a sister outside of the country and he wasn't allowed to see her because of the Soviet rule at the time. He died without meeting her.
My grandmother on my dad's side also lost all of her family. She grew up in a French missionary where she learned French fluently and kept until she was of age.
All but one of my grandparents were orphaned during that time.
I'd like to show you the country of my origin. People don't have any idea what the country is like. They must think it's a middle eastern country that has nothing to offer. It's neither middle eastern nor is it empty of all life. I was there once, 10 years ago. Let me show you a bit of the country now:
A church from the 4th century, I believe. In the background is Mt. Ararat (now a part of Turkey, but the biggest part of Armenian history until it was taken away).
Yerevan at night
Beautiful image of a church
The city again
Kiosk with some writing (I should really learn to write and read)
13th century Monastery with Khachkars (Khachkar literally means cross-stone)
Woman reading the paper
Government building at night
Mourning the assassination of Hrant Dink
View of the Marriott in the town center
Another view of the town center. The kids go swimming in the very large fountains
Kids swimming
Echmiadzin, the holiest site in Armenia. In 2000 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Outskirts of Armenia
Streets of Yerevan
Armenian girls probably from the mostly untouched Highlands
Kids playing in a chess tournament
Well, that's all I have to show for now.
Read about the Armenian Genocide.
d20:
those pictures are amazing. yet more evidence that the world is far, far bigger than i can really wrap my head around.
it_thing_hard_on:
Are these pics you took? Regardless, you've sold me!