Category Archives: Peace Corps

For my daughter, with thanks

Ever since she was nine years old, my daughter has held my hand when we are out and about. She does this to stop me tripping or, worse, running  headlong into traffic. Her caution is well-advised for I can fall … Continue reading

Posted in Armenia, family, Great weekends, joy, Mother/daughter dynamic, packing, Peace Corps, personal failings, travel | 7 Comments

Amnesia and Arafat: The World According to Barkis

Margie, a docent and all-round decent person, led the learning at my going-away dinner. Her project board featured maps of Armenia. A pop-quiz quickly confirmed that no one knew where it was. Kevin was closest and Michael (who couldn’t join … Continue reading

Posted in Armenia, drinking, errors of judgement, friendship, packing, Peace Corps, travel | Leave a comment

 Pack up your troubles…

“If you haven’t got it by now, you don’t need it–just relax.” This advice came from a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) currently serving in Armenia. It is three weeks before my own service begins.  Ah yes, relaxing. In preparation for Peace … Continue reading

Posted in Armenia, joy, Peace Corps, personal failings, shopping, travel | Leave a comment

Learning to Travel Light

My straight-talking sister, having requested an update on my whereabouts, texted me just one word: gypsy. My guess is that she did not mean this in a “respect for the Romanies”, or even a “banjo-playing, gaily- coloured flounces, and horse-drawn … Continue reading

Posted in America, Armenia, clothes, know thyself, packing, Peace Corps, personal failings, shopping, straight-talking sister, travel, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Why Armenia?

My sister fears that I will spend my old age gibbering incontinently in her outhouse. My decision to leave the world of employment in favour of two years unpaid in Armenia has caused her to sputter more than usually loudly … Continue reading

Posted in Armenia, know thyself, Peace Corps, personal failings, straight-talking sister, travel | Comments Off on Why Armenia?