Category Archives: Things that gladden the heart

When World’s Collide

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Liz Barron

I am back home in Goris and enjoying a perfect dinner of Irish Wheaten bread with Armenian butter, salad, and cheese. The bread comes from Knott’s Bakery in Newtownards a no-nonsense town just outside Belfast, Northern Ireland. The tomatoes probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Cooking, Cross-cultural understanding, Food, friendship, gratitude, identity, Ireland, Local delicacies, Millisle, Northern Ireland, Nostalgia, online friends, packing, shopping, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, Village life, Women | Leave a comment

Capsicums and the Spirit of competition in the Caucasus

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Liz Barron

Picture credit:Peter Barron The Dezerter market in Tbilisi is so-called because soldiers in a Russian-Georgian war (1920s) went there to dump their guns when they tired of fighting. Deserting trends there still. The market stall holders were asked to vacate … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Cooking, Cross-cultural understanding, drinking, eating out, Food, food safety, Georgia, Lake Sevan, Tbilisi, Things that gladden the heart, travel, Vacation spots, Village life, wine | Leave a comment

What to do in Tbilisi.

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Liz Barron

Aghmashenebeli Avenue. Make three attempts to save this name in your phone, and go there when you visit Tbilisi. This paved street in the new town has loads of alluring outdoor cafes serving Georgian wines and flaky khachapuri — pastry … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Cooking, craft activities, Craft beer, Cross-cultural understanding, drinking, eating out, Food, Georgia, Great weekends, Local delicacies, social media, Tbilisi, Things that gladden the heart, travel, Vacation spots, wine | 1 Comment

By Gosh! Great Breakfast!

Posted on September 15, 2018 by Liz Barron

Hasmik crossed the square and returned with a packet of sugar, bought from the first of three small stores, each of which sell a little bit of everything. We began to hope that our breakfast, first mentioned 30 minutes ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Architecture, Armenia, breakfast, Christianity, Church, Cooking, craft activities, Cross-cultural understanding, eating out, Food, Great weekends, joy, Local delicacies, Things that gladden the heart, travel, Village life, Women | Leave a comment

Tayto take Armenia

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Liz Barron

I was posting a present for my sister when the lady in the post office said she had parcels for me. Not one parcel, but two.  I was surprised. Sure, my birthday is tomorrow but I had not anticipated any … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Blessings, Emilia Simonian, family, Food, food safety, Fundraising, gratitude, joy, Local delicacies, Northern Ireland, Serendipity, Tandragee, Tayto, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, welcome | 2 Comments

Call me Old Fashioned

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Liz Barron

“Eat something” said the Doctor “and relax. Walk around a bit and then come back in an hour so I can take your blood pressure”. I left Peace Corps’ building in Yerevan and wondered where the nearest food could be … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, cocktails, Cross-cultural understanding, drinking, eating out, Food, gratitude, Happiness, Peace Corps Armenia, Social niceties, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, welcome | 5 Comments

Green Armenia

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Liz Barron

Following my recent post about wild flowers spotted in Syunik marz, I am delighted to have been introduced to a great, downloadable, illustrated guide to the wild flowers and trees of Armenia. You can get your copy of Green Armenia … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Green Armenia, Karahunj, Things that gladden the heart, travel, wild flowers Armenia | 2 Comments

The Cambridge grads, pet people and STEM lovers–where are they?

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Liz Barron

It is easy to see why Cambridge want her. Emilia combines a ferocious intellect with a passion for animal welfare, and a desire to contribute to the future of her country. She is an all-round amazing young woman-fit, modest, kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Cross-cultural understanding, Emilia Simonian, Fundraising, Peace Corps, Peace Corps Armenia, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, Women, work, young women, Youth | 3 Comments

The real thing: not sugar that looks like salt

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Liz Barron

“Your stories matter” said the poet. “They are how you make yourself known to others. They are a way of stretching out your hand to someone else.” Damian says that the mistake most newbie poets make is that they feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Armenian writers, creative writing, Cross-cultural understanding, Damian Gorman, family, Hanna Huntley, know thyself, Learning, life lessons, love of words, National pride, Poet In Residence, Poetry, public speaking, story-telling, Summer camp, Teaching, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, Writing, Writing Workshop, young women, Youth | 2 Comments

On working with a Poet-in-Residence

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Liz Barron

Sonnet for Damian Gorman “It’s bonkers” wrote the poet, ‘but yes, I’ll come” He packed his bag and caught the first of many planes His eyes were sore, his bum was numb He yawned and asked our students for their … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, creative writing, Cross-cultural understanding, Damian Gorman, Education, Hanna Huntley, Household tips, Language learning, love of words, Marketing, Moonshine, National Poetry Recitation Contest, Poet In Residence, Poetry, red head, story-telling, Summer camp, Teaching, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, visitors, Wilfred Owen, Writing, Writing Workshop, young women, Youth | 1 Comment