Category Archives: Village life

The road to Lor

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Liz Barron

“Come” said Laura, my fellow Peace Corps Volunteer. “Come and see my school–no-one ever does”. I readily agreed—I had looked at a map of Syunik marz, and seen that Lor was only 52 km from my home town. Google Maps … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Armenian writers, Beauty, Church, Cross-cultural understanding, Driving, errors of judgement, Peace Corps, Religion, Sisian, Syunik Marz, Things that make a difference, travel, Village life | Leave a comment

Armenia through fresh eyes: Part Two

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Liz Barron

A day out with Ara is bettered only by an evening at home with him and his family.  Thursday was his youngest son’s birthday–8 years old. There was a big party with 16 kids and a  cake in the shape … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, chess, Cooking, Cross-cultural understanding, drinking, family, Food, friendship, Games, Moonshine, Mulberries, Social niceties, Syunik Marz, Things that gladden the heart, travel, Village life, Vodka | Leave a comment

How to win an Armenian Cookbook

Posted on October 3, 2017 by Liz Barron

This cookbook WILL be mine. All I have to do is come up with an Armenian recipe that rocks. The trouble is, I don’t come across much fancy Armenian food, not least because the simple stuff is so good. Most … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Armenian Institute London, Bardez, Cooking, Cross-cultural understanding, family, Food, friendship, Household tips, Peace Corps, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, Village life, Women | Leave a comment

Well turned-out Tatik

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Liz Barron

Every Tatik in Armenia wears the same outfit, day in, day out: a dress or pinny with deep pockets for holding freshly picked cucumbers, new-laid eggs or the like. This is accessorized with mens’ socks pulled to mid-shin level–often two … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, fashion, joy, National pride, shopping, Things that gladden the heart, travel, Village life, Women, work | 2 Comments

The sacrificial lamb

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Liz Barron

In the West, gratitude is the go-to emotion for our times, and we–begrudging, resentful and churlish– must learn to sprinkle it like salt to add savor to our lives. Since the end of the bitter and twisted, grasping 1990s, experts … Continue reading →

Posted in accident, America, Armenia, Armenian matagh, Cooking, Cross-cultural understanding, family, Food, friendship, gratitude, love, pagan ritual, positive psychology, Religion, travel, Village life, Vodka | Leave a comment

Forever Blowing Bubbles

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Liz Barron

Peace Corps staff have seen it all before of course. They know the frustrations Volunteers will feel, and can anticipate dips in energy and enthusiasm across our two year cycle of service. I am a Community Youth Development (CYD) volunteer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, art, Cross-cultural understanding, family, joy, Learning, love, Peace Corps, Picsart, Play, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, Village life, Women, work, Youth | 2 Comments

For Anahit

Posted on August 12, 2017 by Liz Barron

Anahit is 15 and things are going her way. She brims with possibility and could sell self-esteem. She has plenty to say and everything to do. In her case, this includes geometry, at which she excels, and languages, of which … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Armenian art, Cross-cultural understanding, Education, Fundraising, joy, Language learning, Learning, Literacy, love, Peace Corps, Poetry, Shakespeare, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, Village life, Women, work, Youth | 3 Comments

Sunday lunch

Posted on July 30, 2017 by Liz Barron

The mass at Tatev monastery is a real workout. The service lasts at least two hours, during which the congregation stands. At intervals the faithful must dip to touch the floor, kneel for protracted periods on slabs of stone, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Christianity, Church, Cross-cultural understanding, drinking, Food, friendship, Great weekends, joy, Language, Language learning, Religion, Social niceties, Syunik Marz, Things that gladden the heart, travel, Village life, Women | Leave a comment

In the Pink at the Raspberry Festival

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Liz Barron

The mayor was wearing a shiny blue suit with a silvered stripe. He stood out in the heat of the day, not least because almost everyone around him was attired in raspberry pink. The occasion was the Raspberry festival, held … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Beauty, Belfast, Cross-cultural understanding, family, Food, Great weekends, joy, Language, Language learning, love, Northern Ireland, Nostalgia, Syunik Marz, Things that gladden the heart, travel, Village life, Vodka, Women, work | Leave a comment

At the Shops

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Liz Barron

Everything in Armenia looks like I built it. Skirting boards stop short of the door trim. Plastic piping pokes through jagged holes in plasterboard and tiling tails off when the money runs out. The whole country is not quite finished … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Armenia, Candy, Capitalism, Caucausus, Cross-cultural understanding, Food, Household tips, Nostalgia, shopping, Social niceties, Village life, Women, work | Leave a comment