New friends and old

Zaynik and her family live in a little domik just off the road to Spitakavor. When my dad and UBDJ were here we stopped off here for some hyurasirutyun and a nice conversation. While recently hiking on the same road with my new site mates Meag, Sebastian and Greg we stopped by again to say hello and for some more hospitality. Coincidentally, just as we arrived Zaynik was just cutting in to the new block of cheese she had made. Meag and I have been experimenting with a little cheese making, so it was quite a treat to taste some made by a master.


We took a break from the blazing sun under the umbrella they had set up. We talked again about their life in the mountains with their animals. They will be leaving their site in late October to return to the village and will again set up camp in the mountains in May. They remembered my dad and UBDJ visiting and asked about them. We finished up our coffees and plates of cheese, again kindly refused the offer to vodka shots and were on our way to the monastery.


After the last stretch of road to Spitakavor, we took a break under the newly constructed shelter to a small meal of cheese and tomatoes that our friends had just sent along with us. As we were about to leave, a Niva showed up and our friends exuberantly hopped out and invited us to join them on their Khorovats. We kindly obliged, ate, drank and sang. We then again said our goodbyes and headed down the canyon, a bit tipsy, on our way home.

Sona

This is Sona Vanyan, a woman who was included in the Women's Month stories. This is a photo from June that I recently came across while backing up my photos. She is preparing her large plot just on the edge of Getap for planting tomatoes. I liked the contrast of what our bursting gardens look like now. I can't get enough of the sun-warmed, perfectly ripe red tomatoes. Juicy red and green peppers, roasted over a fire, lightly salted and rolled in lavash - these are some things I will always remember from Armenia.

Getting ready for the winter

I have been canning like crazy lately. As the tomatoes, corn, eggplant and peppers in my garden have so beautifully been growing for the last several months, I have been plotting their fate in cute little glass jars with super tasty recipes. I've canned salsa, roasted red peppers, roasted eggplant and enough fresh tomatoes to keep away from an only potato diet this winter. My one free little cabinet is quickly filling up and its quite a challenge for me to not already open some of these delicious little jars!

Home!

The other day, a bunch of volunteers from the new group came to Yeghegnadzor. We spent a hilarious and wild night camping down by the pointy bridge. After bragging to all the newbies that it NEVER rains in Vayots Dzor, I was awoken before the sun had rose by some very threatening thunder and lightning. I woke up to see what was the matter and was pleasantly surprised by the show Mamma Nature was putting on. Like I said, no rain in Vayots Dzor, but she sure is pretty!

Samvel

Samvel is my landlord, and may as well be my father in Armenia. He calls me his daughter and even expects the same things from me he would his own daughter. Though I tried to explain in the beginning, and struggle to do so still, I am just your renter and you don't need to treat me like a daughter. Its up and down all the time. Sometimes we are arguing about something for days at a time and then for another period of time we get along like twins.

Samvel has quite the sense of humor, a bit harsh, but also playful. Sometimes I'm not sure if he is joking and other times I am joking right back at him. Though our relationship is hard to deal with at times, I really appreciate how this family has accepted me and looks after me. I feel very fortunate to share their "hayat."

Samvel is hard at work until nightfall every day building three new rooms for students. You can see at the bottom of the patio my little two bedroom grape vine covered home. I love living here!

Gone fishing

The other day for my friend Karine's birthday I went to my neighbor's to buy some ishkhan, or trout. They have a series of large ponds that are fed by the river with varying sizes of fish. He dipped the net into the larger pond and in one fail swoop grabbed the six fish we later cooked for dinner. Although this time we just baked them with olive oil, fish khorovats is just about my favorite meal here.

Dartsel em tatik!

I was cleaning some newly dropped walnuts to make pesto. I've seen tatiks all over Armenia with fingers just like these, and knew it was from walnuts. Thought I'd try it on for size. I kinda like it.

Oh, and you can see, barely, my garden in the background.

Miss Meag

Its great to have a new site mate here in Yeghegnadzor. Its especially nice that Meag likes sangria and cooking just as much as I do!

We made our own mozzarella cheese the other day and one of the best garlicy thin crust margarita pizzas I have ever had!

She also is a killer guitar player and is trying to teach my little neighbor Geretsik how to play. Maybe a futile effort as the little one is opposed to learning chords, but none the less we've been having a great time singing along!