Jody's Letters from the Road

We were at a meeting in Yerevan to meet our partners in our Peace Corps projects.  I think, because of my age, I stood out in the crowded coffee break area.  Several of the Armenian partners introduced themselves to me as I talked with my partner, Narene.  A lady closer to my age came over who knew Narene and had worked in the same town and introduced herself as Emma. Emma told me that she had worked with everyone at the NGO where I will be engaged for the next year.  I was very flattered when she told me she had heard about me and my background.  She told me she now teaches English at a college relatively close to where I will be living.  Emma asked me if I would be willing to come visit her college class and deliver a lecture in English about my teaching, union, and political work.  I could not say no. At the next coffee break, I found Emma and offered her my phone number.  As we talked, she told me two things about her past that made me fee...

My Dear Diana A preface, I wrote this note to a young Armenian woman who has tutored me a few times to help me learn their language.  We talked a bit about the current political situation in Armenia.  She knows of my union and political background and I felt compelled to discuss a couple of things with her and thought I would share it with you as well. I have been thinking so much about our brief conversation a few days ago.   I have not been able to forget two parts of the unfinished conversation and have decided that I must some thoughts down in writing to organize them for, hopefully, a more extensive conversation in the near future. First and foremost, I must commend you and your associates in your striving to be heard in peaceful demonstrations addressing the issues facing your beloved country of Armenia.   My current employment situation will not allow me the freedom to express my personal beliefs about the merits of your protestations insisting tha...

My Armenian Family Part One Well, I last wrote about how wonderful the greeting was for us when we arrived at the school in Ayntap.  My host family was the last to arrive.  I was getting so very nervous.  I met Robert and Olga and we loaded my belongings in to the taxi and went to their house.  As we rode, I was thinking of all the simple greetings we had been taught.  I sounded like a two year old as I said, "Good Day.  How are you?  I am good.  My name is Jody.  What is your name?"  Robert and Olga smiled and introduced themselves. We got to their house which they had just remodeled because their son is getting married there this summer.  I met Lady, their big dog. Lady is almost the size of a Shetland Pony but gentle as a lamb. Robert helped me carry my luggage up to my room and then said I needed to come have lunch. We ate in their den and the television was on with Armenian music videos.  We struggled through lunch ...