My first stage of the 2 month internship period was spent in Armenia, the small country wedged between Georgia, Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan. It is now a republic, but was occupied by the Russians until the mid 1990s. The purpose of the trip was to develop a gastronomic tourism itenerary for this relatively unknown country (and at the behest of a friend of a friend who lives there.) I went with my Colorno roommate Aviva (a 60+ year old Dallasite). Though it was good to be exposed to something new and unfamiliar, I have to say the country was pretty unimpressive. The people don't really have any sense of "society," so they take care of only what is theirs and everything else is someone else's problem, and this worked fine when the Russians were there to take care of things, but now the Armenian government is completely uninterested in fixing most of the problems. And the food was really not all that great either. It had its high points, like kebabs and the occasional borrowing from Turkey and Iran, but I'm afraid the Russians left their presence on the food too! Here are some pics...
Aviva and I checking out the unfamiliar spices in the huge market in Yerevan, the capital city. And of course, buying as well.
Here I am with a lady who wanted me to marry her son on the spot! She took me into her backyard orchard and loaded me down with quinces and apples and asked to take a picture with me. During our visit, she stayed very close, and took every opportunity to give me things, including a jar of the best plumb jam I have ever tasted. In general, the people were very hospitable and generous.
Here is a typical example of an Armenian church. I think there are more churches per square foot than any other country in the world. One of Armenia's claims to fame is that they were the first country to officially adopt Christianity in 301 AD. Their church architecture remains fairly congruous throughout the country, with many fine stone engravings.
One of many bread making examples we were apart of. Their most common bread is Lavash, a very thin bread cooked on the walls inside a buried pit oven. In most cases, as in this pic, three generations of women are involved. Each household usually cooks their bread every other week.
Aviva and I checking out the unfamiliar spices in the huge market in Yerevan, the capital city. And of course, buying as well.
Here I am with a lady who wanted me to marry her son on the spot! She took me into her backyard orchard and loaded me down with quinces and apples and asked to take a picture with me. During our visit, she stayed very close, and took every opportunity to give me things, including a jar of the best plumb jam I have ever tasted. In general, the people were very hospitable and generous.
Here is a typical example of an Armenian church. I think there are more churches per square foot than any other country in the world. One of Armenia's claims to fame is that they were the first country to officially adopt Christianity in 301 AD. Their church architecture remains fairly congruous throughout the country, with many fine stone engravings.
One of many bread making examples we were apart of. Their most common bread is Lavash, a very thin bread cooked on the walls inside a buried pit oven. In most cases, as in this pic, three generations of women are involved. Each household usually cooks their bread every other week.
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