After spending a fun night in Jermuk we headed out early to Datev Monastery. It was a very long trip getting there. Once we got there we all had to go to the bathroom, it took 3 hours to get there and there were no bathrooms on the way. We had to split into two groups to get on to the tram. Some of us got on the first tram to get to the monastery. After we landed in the tram to the monastery we started down the hill to look at cool things.We took more pictures in front of the church and in the tram. In the tram you get the best view over the trees and fields.
On our way there Nouné told us stories about the meaning of the hot springs we saw in Jermuk and about Datev. There was this one story about the hot spring that one day a hunter was out one day and was deer hunting. He shot a deer but the deer ran away and fell in the water. The hunter thought the deer was gone but the deer came out of the water perfectly fine and the deer ran away without any wounds.
Once we got to the monastery it started to rain. We were blessed by the priest. Nouné took us to the secret passages and told us about why they where made and where they would lead us to, unfortunately we couldn’t go in them. After all the fun we had to get back on the tram to eat lunch. The food was one of the best meals we’ve eaten the whole trip! After lunch we got back on the bus for our 5 hour ride to the Marriott.
On our way to the Marriott we stopped a couple times. Once was to go to the bathroom, the second was to take a picture in front of the beautiful sunset over Ararat. Mount Ararat was so clear to see it was absolutely amazing. After we all got on the bus and headed back on the road. We sang and did quizzes.
-Taline Antoine