Trees and the Roots of Life - Unknown, Armenia

Sadly, I can't remember where we went, but I will find out! A friend of Tamar & Perouz has been buying land outside the city and planting loads and loads of trees (of all kinds) on this amazing property, which he keeps expanding. With the wind blowing and the sun setting, easting apricots on this incredible property felt like magic. Mt. Ararat was sitting in a haze in the distance and we cracked the seeds of the apricots to eat the almond inside.

Whoops - Armenia

I haven't posted anything for a few days - which is why this post is entitles Whoops.
ALOT has happened. Wednesday my dad left, and that night i went to hang out at a tattoo parlour in Yerevan. Made friends with the owner and artist. I had gone there because Lusine ('cousin') was getting a tat done. Spent the night with her and her husband and their 2 sons.
Thursday had a meeting at the American University - Called Hovsep (our driver here) for a ride, but he couldn't make it, so sent his brother. Armen is the same age as me and we hit it off, so we decided we'd just go somewhere knew, and drove 1 1/2 hours to Dilijan! What a beautiful place driving up and down this mountainous area. Ate corn from a vendor on the side of the road and climbed an old water energy building. At night went to a bar called "That Place" with some friends. Tamar & Perouz (girls for T.O. who i have spent nearly everyday with!), Siro (tattoo artist) and K.C. & his friend (2 african boys i made friends with).
Friday moved into the house with all the other interns. Found out i am the oldest of everyone, so it should be interesting. Everyone seems nice, and my superviser is just amazing. Her name is Sati, and she is truly a gem!
Went to Vernisage (weekend market in the city) today with Tamar, Perouz and Garo (Their friend from T.O. who is here for 2 weeks and they are now staying with).
Here are a mish-mash of pictures I took throughout the past few days.

Con't from Below

Funtastic - Gyumri, Armenia

MY dad and I went to Gyumri today (about a 2 hour drive outside of Yerevan) to visit 'family'. Ashkhen and Arman, and their 2 girls Nelly (8 yrs old) and Nina (4 yrs old). More pictures than I think ive taken in one given moment, so choosing for this blog was incredibly tough! Nelly and Nina are so grown up and so much fun! Nina was my little sidekick from the start! They dragged me to the park, made me go down the slide! When we got back to the apartment, they just had to have braids with feathers like mine too! I can't wait to see them again, and I know the feeling is mutual because Nina got mad at me for leaving!

Afshar, Armenia

Visited Jaqueline and Azad today in a village called Afshar. Warm and lovingly welcomed, as usual! The kids Shooshan and Azadig have grown up so much, and to my surprise Shooshan remembered me from 4 years ago! A friend nearby named Sofi (same age as me and such a sweetheart) came by as well, she was also there when we visited last. Here are some photos from the day! Lots of food, and this time Sofi took me to her house where I got meet her brother and dad. She played me piano and picked me strawberries from their garden. The true beauty of Armenia is found within the warmth of the people who bring you in, show off all their talents and keep welcoming you back each time with the same kindness!

Con't from Below

It will only let me load 5 photos at a time! Heres the rest from the same day.

Everywhere and Back - Yerevan, Armenia

Today we did soooo much! The morning started at Echmiadzin (most famous church in Armenia). I lit 5 candles there, for my family, the Okutans, the Taylors and the grandparents (both sides). From there we went to a farm owned by one of the many Harouts related to my dad. It is managed by a man named Hovig. I saw little piggy's and was fed fresh strawberries and toot from the gardens! If you need to know anything about Armenia, its that the fruit here is heavenly! After that I went to a short meeting about my upcoming internship (on a less exciting day I will divulge more info about that). Than off to Mayr Hayastan (Mother Armenia). Than to the Cascades (last project built by the Russians before independence). And to end this ridiculous day we stopped at a the statue of Sassountsi Tavit (Mythical figure who fought Persians instead of being enslaved by them). Tonight we go out for a bit, eat some yummy food, than sleeeep! Tomorrow we are off to Afshar ..will definitely explain that tomorrow.

First & 2nd Day Awake - Yerevan, Armenia

Well, Half awake! My dad and I on the first day went all around with Nigol (an old friend who lives here). We went to arestaurant for lunch, visited an orphanage that he helps out and a few other places. Wednesday we went to Madenataran which is Manuscript museum which was really interesting. DID YOU KNOW: The 1st 36 letters of the Armenian alphabet were used as numbers before they became our alphabet?! Very vibey! After some more walking around and driving around and sitting in restaurants or cafes we ended up at Anoush Opera. This opera was obviously my dads choice, as I fell asleep part way through. The scenes were beautiful, but mannn was the story borrring! I know my Grandmas would have loved it though!
Here are some pics from the day.

Arrival - Yerevan, Armenia

After a very lengthy delay, my dad and I finally hopped aboard our flight to Armenia. We got in around 8 or 9 this morning, and have both been suffering from sleep depravation.
Went around this afternoon, went to an orphanage... Where I had 2 girls holding my hands walking around with me.
Basically, im grumpy and sleepy, but alas, I must do my course selection for September tonight at 10:30 pm. (Thats 1:30 pm for all you Torontonians, and 6:30 pm for you English folk).

Finding out more about my internship this week. And for those of you who know my father, I will also be walking until my legs fall off, and staring at artifacts in museums until my eyeballs burn. Fun!

Will keep you updated as often as the internet and electricity permit. (So far so good!)

Camden Town - London, England

Camden Town Market is a really nice place to walk around on the weekends. Evening/nights there are a lot of fun too. Yesterday I made a new friend named Ant who has a shop in the market. Very vibey man, and so we decided we would hang out in the evening. After my walking around, I met up with a friend Gabby for a cup of tea, than I was off to meet up with Ant again. We hung out in and around the market. In closed shops , playing with drums and giant gongs. Ending the evening at InSpiral, a hippy-ish lounge near the market that serves only Vegan food (you can imagine my excitement!).
Heres some photos from yesterdays adventure.

A Beautiful Friday - London, England

Spent my Friday with Jeanette walking around Walthamstow Market. Talked to some nice people and just walking around in the sunshine. At night we went to Camden Market where a new friend I met waiting for a bus, Yalcin, and his friend Ali came to meet us. Jeanette and I started at a latin bar and the boys met us a a hookah bar after. Loads of people walking around, and from just sitting outside we met loads of people. Sharing lots of laughs, taking tons of pictures and having a super fun time! It was truly a great night!!!
Pic 1 - At Walthamstow, Pic 2 - Me, Yalcin & Jeanette, Pic 3 - Me, 2 random English people, and Ali, Pic 4 - Me with the hose, Pic 5 - Jeanette & Ali

Jamaica! - London, England

Lucky me!!! My beautiful friend Nicole is in London, and we got to spend some time together. She'd been traveling with 2 of her friends, one of which is Jill (also from JA, and also amazing!). The 3 of us went out last night, and spent the afternoon together today! Photos are of us out last night, Nikki trying on point shoes and a pirate ship in a bottle!

Last Night in Chelt - Cheltenham, England

Solid decision, I have left Cheltenham a few days earlier than I initially intended. Glad to be back in London, and had a great time seeing old friends and meeting some new ones! Here are some photos from my last day/night in chelt.
Photos of Jack and Harry. Harry as Babyface Fatcakes (the rapper name i gave him last year), the boys playing 'House Ball' - where it isn't a game until something gets broken, and than Harry and I watching silly things on Youtube!

Walk Around & Delicious Burger! - Cheltenham, England

Jack and I had a nice walk around Chelt today. Not a particularly nice day, but definitely a nice walk! Got to see some new areas and take some pretty pictures. Allotments, Burger Star, Rabbit & Bull statue, Spiral Bench and my dream car as a sort of pick up!