Category Archives: travel

Well Groomed of Goris

Posted on May 5, 2018 by Liz Barron

Let us consider the battle against body hair which is big business here, particularly now Spring is upon us. In the land of Kardashian complexions, the beauty salons practice not only epilation but eradication, hacking back unwelcome growth wherever it … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Armenia, Beauty, Blessings, Chillin', Cross-cultural understanding, Goris, Language learning, My Lady Salon, Peace Corps, Social niceties, Stress management, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel | Leave a comment

Stories out of school

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Liz Barron

I was to teach a class about networking– how to make the kind of friends that help you get by. Ironic really that this session was scheduled for the evening Serzh Sargysan lost his job: the very day that thousands … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Capitalism, Cross-cultural understanding, Education, entrepreneurship, gratitude, Language learning, leadership development, Leadership School Yerevan, Learning, life lessons, National pride, networking, serzh sargsyan, story-telling, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, velvet revolution, work, Yerevan | Leave a comment

Drink lots of water

Posted on April 29, 2018 by Liz Barron

Haykush has made me jump twice this morning. I hadn’t expected to see her in my hallway when I got up at 7am to go to the loo. She was rootling to find chicken feed I think. Later I came … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, armenia’s revolution, Cross-cultural understanding, Education, family, Food, friendship, Jingalov hats, Local delicacies, Scares, Social niceties, Stress management, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, Village life | 1 Comment

School’s out.

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Liz Barron

I turned up to my village English club this afternoon to find students sadly lacking. “Voch inch” I said to myself like a good Armenian ” it is a lovely day for a walk”. I picked my way down the … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Beauty, Chillin', Cross-cultural understanding, Food, friendship, Happiness, joy, Language, life lessons, Nature, Syunik Marz, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, Village life, young women | 1 Comment

Easter Basket, Armenian style.

Posted on March 25, 2018 by Liz Barron

In front of the cathedral old women sold coronets of mimosa and forsythia, and long rods of pussy willow. The young women clamored for the crowns, knowing they’d look cute. There were buckets of daffodils and bunches of hyacinth and … Continue reading →

Posted in Apostolic church, Armenia, Christianity, Church, Easter, Food, Great weekends, Happiness, Homemade decorations, Lent, Local delicacies, spring, Things that gladden the heart, travel | Leave a comment

Rage, Rage Against the Dying of our Children’s Light

Posted on March 25, 2018 by Liz Barron

Yesterday everyone I know in America marched. The gay grandads marched. The Arizona teacher raised on an island filled with Armalites marched. The TV producer mom flew home from a shoot to stand in front of the White House and … Continue reading →

Posted in 2018, America, Armenia, Cross-cultural understanding, Education, fear, Fundraising, gratitude, Great weekends, guns, Hanna Huntley, Happiness, march for our lives, Mother/daughter dynamic, National Poetry Recitation Contest, no guns in schools, Peace Corps, philanthropy, Poetry, Safety, Terrorism, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel | 2 Comments

St Patrick’s Day in Armenia

Posted on March 17, 2018 by Liz Barron

St. Patrick’s Day in Armenia. Well, now at least there’ll be an entry should anyone else ever Google this phrase, which seems unlikely.  St. Patrick’s Day will not be as big a deal here as it is in my native … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American holidays, Armenia, Christianity, Church, Cross-cultural understanding, Food, Ireland, Legends, red head, St. Patrick, travel | 2 Comments

Peace Corps: One Year In

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Liz Barron

I am serving my country abroad, and my country is America. I can’t quite believe it myself. The words conjure pictures of soldiers, brave and resolute in uniform, or Ambassadors, smooth and sophisticated. I am neither of these, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Anniversary, Armenia, BBC, Blessings, Caucausus, creative writing, Education, friendship, Fundraising, gratitude, Happiness, life lessons, love, National Poetry Recitation Contest, Peace Corps, straight-talking sister, Teaching, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, work | 5 Comments

Women’s Day In Armenia.

Posted on March 8, 2018 by Liz Barron

Garik our office accountant brought me this beautiful plant. Ashot and Davit spent their own money to bring me another one just as lovely. The lady in the flower-shop, busy with the annual rush that comes on Women’s Day every … Continue reading →

Posted in 2018, American holidays, Armenia, Cross-cultural understanding, family, Mother/daughter dynamic, Peace Corps, sexism, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, Weddings, Women, young women | Leave a comment

Hard lessons through beautiful words

Posted on March 3, 2018 by Liz Barron

The poor always believe there is room enough for all of us; the very rich never seem to have heard of this. In us there is wisdom of how to share loaves and fishes however few; we do this everyday. I thought Gohar had been hasty. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Alice Walker, Armenia, Beauty, Blessings, Cross-cultural understanding, Education, family, Food, gratitude, identity, Language learning, life lessons, National Poetry Recitation Contest, Peace Corps, Poetry, Rich and Poor, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, Village life | 2 Comments