Ok so I’ve been able to get Internet
again so its time to update everyone about my whereabouts. Over the past week I was able to get away
from the village again, this time going to Yerevan, Armenia. It started with a day trip to Tbilisi where I
meet some of the crew that would be traveling to Armenia. The hostel that we planned on staying at
(Hostel Georgia) was all full, so they sent us to their sister hostel. It was just for a night so we figured what
the heck lets go for it. It was named
Hostel Romantik and the card with the address had a picture of a martini glass
and advertised free wine for guests.
Being only 10 Lari for the night we said what the heck and had the taxi
drive us over.
When we pulled up the taxi driver
drove us into an underground tunnel, turned his car off and beeped his horn
twice. A heavy red door opened up and we
were ushered inside. I have never been
inside a brothel, but this hostel was exactly what I think one would look like. There were no windows, and it was a large
room that had been divided into separate sleeping quarters. Red lights lined the walls casting an almost
eerie glow about the place. We used it
for exactly what a cheap hostel should be used for, choosing to go to our
favorite ex pat bar rather than stay all night underground. Alas, it worked perfectly for the night and
we were able to get our train tickets to Yerevan the next day.
Our group (Sanchez, Brooke, and I)
got tickets on the overnight train to Yerevan and happened to have the whole
compartment to our selves. That was nice
because we were able to put all of our luggage on the unoccupied bed. Once again I had quite the adventure crossing
boarders. At 12:30 am the trains steward
banged on our door and woke us all up.
All he said was passport and come.
We were ushered in between cars while the train was moving and the door
was opened up. As we neared the station
Armenian soldiers escorted a couple of Israelis and us that needed visas on the
empty platform. We were the only
civilians on the platform, accompanied by armed soldiers and stray dogs. If you could imagine a cold war border
crossing at night this was about as close as possible. Once our visas were paid for each individual
was taken into a private room where we were asked the usual border questions
plus a few more. I was specifically
asked about my prison sentences (they assumed tattoos mean prison). After that back on the train to Yerevan.
Yerevan was extremely nice, we saw
a monastery that was carved into a mountain in the years 300 (geghart),
medieval walled city with church (Kour Virap), and many of the sites in the
city. Unlike Tblilisi, Yerevan seems to
have a very European feel to it. There
was much more westernized fashion, food, and society. After the trip Sanchez and I boarded the
train and rode it overnight all the way to Batumi. From there we went our separate ways to our
various villages. I found out that there
is no marstruka to my village during the day and I have to ride one and stop it
at my dirt road and then walk/hitchhike the 8 km to Akhuti. On my way back I walked about half way before
a car picked me up. This seems to be the
most reliable way into or out of the village during the daytime. At least now I know that the bus will stop at
my road, so if I need to get to a city for goods its only an 8 km walk each way
(could be doable if I really need errands done).
School starts on Monday and I am
really excited to get the school year started.
Later today I am to meet my coteacher and school principal and go over
teaching methods and topics to be covered in our first lesson plans. Finally I can do something and not sit by
idly when I’m back in the village. This
also means that I will have access to Internet and wont be completely stranded
from home until I get out of the village.
Until next time, kargad.
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