Day 1
After our flight to France we had six and a half hours for our connecting flight. While we were in the airport we spent the time by playing friendly card games, singing enjoyable songs and tossing a ball around to each other. On the airplane we went to each others seats and sat together. When it was time to sleep we were all hyper from the candy all of us ate. We had a party going on with everyone sharing candy, watching movies, and making each other laugh.
When we reached Yerevan we were all mesmerized how beautiful Hrabarag and our hotel was. There were so many inspiring features in Yerevan. On the bus while we were in Yerevan our tour guide Garine showed us all the sights that we wanted to see. We also sang a couple of songs on the bus. After that outrageous night we came back to the Marriot hotel and got dressed and ready for dinner. It was about 12:30 around then. We had a very fun night out. We came back to the hotel to get some rest so we could continue our once in a life time journey.
By Rubina Vosbigian
Day 2
We are finally in Armenia. Today was the day that we saw everything that represents us as Armenians.
Our first trip was to Echmiadzin. We were lucky to experience a badarak at this very special church Echmiadzin, which means the coming down of God to tell Krikor Lucavuriech where he wanted a church for his one and only Son. “Ech” means to come down and “miadzin” stands for one and only.
After the church we guided into the Etchmiadzin Madarataran. An interesting fact about Echmiadzin is that here is the only place that the meron used for Christenings used by every one of our churches is made and blessed once every seven years. There we learned that the church was build 2 years after the Armenians accepted to Christianity which was in 301.
Lunch was great. When I put the lavash in my mouth it melted right away. It was so yummy, I can’t wait to have more. Fourth graders get excited because when they serve soda it’s in glass bottles it tastes better and it is just more fun.
When we got to Oshagan we saw all of the khachkars that were shaped in Armenian alphabet. We were given permission to take a picture with the letter that begins with our names. In the church I noticed we were going down to somewhere. When I got down realized we were going to see Mesrob Mashdoz’s grave. Many of us lit candles for him and we left.
We went to Dzizernagapert and we put two flowers each down next to the fire, we said our prayers. This was so moving It can’t be described. It will touch you deep in your heart .This place is unbelievably beautiful because of the architecture and the symbol of the everlasting fire.
By Anastasia Goulopoulos
Day 3
We drove for hours to get to Karabagh. To spend time we, sang, told jokes, and our tour guide told us informational facts. We also saw at least eighteen to twenty one stray dogs.
Our first stop was to go to “Komidas’s Ayki” for ten minutes. There we saw, many graves of famous writers, poets, composers, and singers such as, Komidas Varatabed, Silva Gabodigian, William Saroyan, Aram khachadourian, Vahan Derian and Ohan Tourian and many others. We prayed for Silva Gabodigian as well as Ohan Tourian. We sang for Komidas Vartabed. We had lots of fun seeing all the sights we learned about.
Our second stop was Khor Virab. We took lots of pictures, and went down steep steps into a dungeon where Krikor Lousavorich was kept as a prisoner for thirteen years. It was very scary going up and down the steps. Going back up was worse. When we got down into the dungeon we were all fine and took pictures. Then we went back up the steep steps.
After going down to the dungeon, we went to go take more pictures. As a special treat, Rubina’s dad got an Armenian Soldier to take a picture with us. It was a very cool experience.
When we were going back to the bus, a couple of students bought birds and let them free. It was so cool! There were fully white birds, and black birds. Some of the white birds had a pink tail or a yellow tail and some didn’t.
After Khorvirab we arrived at the Noravank monastery which was built within the thirteenth and fourteenth century. Noravank was really cool. There were steps with no railing. I was so much fun. Eventually, all the kids climbed the stairs. The stairs led up to a church. Upstairs, it was white. It was very beautiful. I couldn’t believe how pretty it looked!
When we were done looking in the upper part of Noravank, we went down the stairs very carefully and went down in the lower part of Noravank. There, our tour guide told us about the graves and we looked at all the beautiful candles that were lit. There were thin orange and red candles and thick white candles.
Then we went to a church that had a picture of a Mongolian person on the front of it. Digin Ardemis and our tour guide explained there was a picture of a Mongolian person because, if the Mongolian’s decided to attack the church and saw the Mongolian eyes the Mongolian’s would not destroy the church.
We ate dinner at an Armenia restaurant and went back on the bus. We continued our trip to Karabagh. We then checked into the new hotel we were staying in and had a meeting about what we learned and saw today. It was a very adventurous day!
By Daniela Rizza
Day 4
This morning we had breakfast in the hotel. Then we boarded the bus and were off to Shushi. On our way to see the students at the Shushi School we stopped to see the first tank that entered Shushi. After a few minutes of taking pictures we continued our drive. Before we could go to the school though, we had to go o the church of Shushi. It was really cool. First we lit candles, than we went in a little room under the church.
It was a special size so that when we stepped right in the center of the room and said a word really quietly you would hear it hit back into your ear and it sounded really cool but no one else could hear it the way you could because they weren’t standing in the middle of the room. Then, we did another experiment. First, we picked a partner. Then, we stood across from each other in the room. Next one of the partners would whisper into the wall and the other partner would listen to the wall and they would here what the other partner said. I wish you all could have been there.
Finally we got to the school. First they said some poems and sang to us then we said some poems and sang to them, and after that we all sang “Kedashen” together. Next we walked around and talked to each, while handing out presents. We had to leave early because they were practicing for “Verchin Zanku”, so we went to the Museum of Shushi. We saw the model of the Shushi liberation donated by the Maroukhian family. Finally we had lunch.
When we walked out from the restaurant we saw the students waiting for us. We played baseball until it got kind of boring then, we played soccer. After getting board of soccer we talked for a little, transferred emails and phone numbers and said bye. I will miss them.
After playing with them we went to Amaras but on our way we saw a huge heard of sheep. There must have been 250 or more of them, but they were so cute.
By Anoush Krafian
Day 5
This morning we woke up and ate an amazing breakfast in the hotel. We got into the bus and departed from the hotel. On the way we saw Dadeeg Babeeg. We arrived at Ghandzasar. We got into the church and lit some candles. The church has more than 250 inscriptions in it. We went outside and we saw bullet holes in the walls. Then we saw lizards we chased them around. The church was built in 1216. John the Baptist’s head is buried under the alter. The monastery Ghandzasar got its name by “Ghanz” meaning treasure and sar meaning mountain. These mountains had gold and silver mines.
We visited Nigol Douman’s house. Nigol Douman was a freedom fighter in Armenia. They turned his house into a museum. We saw his guns and his swords. We saw how he made his food. We saw how old his house is. He was nicknamed as a storm. He was named Douman because he was scary. His real name is Negoghios Hovanesian. He was a famous fighter. Nigol Douman was a role model for all freedom fighters in the Armenian army. Nigol Douman is very important to Armenian history. He died at the age of 47 in 1914.
We just departed from Dadeeg Babeeg. Dadeeg and Babeeg are the symbol of Artsagh. It was made in 1968. It is one of the most important statues in the Armenian history. It is made out of the most popular rock in Armenia doph kar. We sang the song “Menk yenk ou Sarere Mer”. We stopped at the armory and toured the base and met the soldiers.
By Saro Karaguesian
Day 6
Mmm…Mmm… everybody likes the fresh food. They also like the drinks. Some people drink juice others Hot Chocolate. I drank both today. I loved it! Eggs are also popular and tasty. Soon we will go on the bus. Since we are leaving Stepanagert no one is left empty handed. They either have a backpack or luggage in their hands to bring to Yerevan. We are on the bus. Mary, George, and I were the first on the bus so we got the first choice on seats. Soon everyone piled on the bus. The bus then started to move. We prayed to have a safe trip.
We were soon in Lachine. Each family got one tree to plant. We got to pick our own tree . We planted walnut trees in big holes. First, the man came and showed us how to plant the trees . Then we used hoses to water the walnut trees. Sadly, Mary and I couldn’t use the hose because our trees were further away. We decided to use buckets. I even got wet!
Change in plans we got to Datev and we waited for the cable car. A good hour went by and they still hadn’t fixed the electrical problem. The parents had the great idea of driving to the churches. Then, we would see if the 20 minute cable car was working. Sadly, it wasn’t. The good thing about our drive was the Devil’s Bridge. It is called the Devil’s Bridge because; the water has gone through solid rocks. Let me tell you about the monastery. It consists of three churches and one vault. The churches names are Boghos Bedros, Krikor Loosavorich, and Asdvadzadzin. In the one vault is Krikor Datevatsi. The word Datev is also used as a girl’s name. All these things are beautifully made.
We then went to Tamam Dadig restaurant. 12 chairs and a table for the kids and 21 chairs and a table for the parents, Bus Driver, and Garine’ the Tour Guide lay in front of us. On the table was set plates, forks, spoons, drinks, salad, kebab, fish, bread, French fries, and cheese. Everyone dug in. Saro was so hungry he even ate the eye of the fish and he liked it. YUCK!!!!!
We go on the bus and left Datev. We have sat on the bus for over five hours .We have now arrived in Yerevan. After that long ride everybody is tired and in bed. Tomorrow you will read Mary’s writing about the Yerevan school and the Armenian tree projects education center.
By Liana Nalbandian
Day 7
There is another beautiful sunny day to start of the great day. My parents and I went to the hotel’s restaurant, Cucina an Italian restaurant where I saw my friends. During our breakfast we ate a lot of things like orange juice, apple juice, strawberries, waffles, cucumbers, bread, chocolate crasaunt, and fruit. Then we went to lobby to wait for everyone. We went on the bus with the teachers.
We went to the YEREVAN SCHOOL. We met the fifth grade students in the school and we said our names what grade we were and what we like to do. We also told about our school and the subjects we learn. Then we played basketball in their gym. There were two teams and we played basketball in a different way. When we finished playing basketball, we went to wash our hands and we went to eat lunch. We wrote our e-mails at the end of the lunch time and we got a picture in the school and in the front of the school.
We went in the bus and we got ready to go to the Armenia Tree Project Education Center in Karin. We saw beautiful green trees around me and a huge tent. We went inside and we met some people. They greeted us and we made a bride. Then we made a circle and we played a game. In the game you had to give a name for example tree and the player next to her had to name something similar to the name. We each got an apple. My apple was yellow. Then, a person named Samuel showed us how to plant a tree. When he finished explaining it was our turn to plant a tree. Then another person who’s name is Dikran showed us around the trees. Next, he showed us the mini greenhouse of trees and the greenhouse of trees. We had a picture next to the flowers. Then, we went back to the tent and we made groups from the colored paper apples. We went inside a house and we saw a poster and on top of the poster it said Building Bridges. Someone named Alla told us that we needed o draw he poster and color it. When we finished coloring the poster every group introduced their poster and then we washed our hands and went outside to eat. When we finished eating we went on the bus to go to Alexander Tamanyan’s Statue.
When we got to the statue our tour guide Garine told us a lot of things about Alexander Tamanyan. He was an architecture who drew Yerevan. He was born in 1878 in Moscow, Russia. He got his scholarship in Moscow and he started architecting buildings in Moscow. In 1924 to 1926 during the Soviet Union he architected the lines in Yerevan. We saw his architecting of Yerevan and it was really amazing. Then, we went inside of the cascade and saw amazing things and we went up some of the stairs and went outside and it was really-really beautiful. We took a picture and went downstairs from outside. We went in the bus and went back to the hotel and got ready for dinner. It was a really fun day.
By Mary Galstian
Day 8
This morning started off great. When I woke up, I went out on the porch of my room and felt the warm Yerevan air. We had breakfast in the restaurant located in the hotel. For breakfast, I had waffles and pancakes with nutella. It was delicious. Then we set off to Sardarabad.
Today we are going to celebrate the first Republic of Armenia in 1918 at Sardarabad. Also, we are wearing our orange school shirts. Tonight we are going to a concert, so that will be fun! I am so excited about today, and so is everyone else. We are singing, and enjoying Yerevan right now. I can’t wait.
We just came back from Sardarabad. It was amazing! We got to see the President of Armenia. We took lots of pictures in front of the statue, and we got to see people dance and sing in front of a wall. That wall was shaped like a semi-circle, and had drawings that symbolized strength and victory.
I had a great time watching the people sing and dance.
The monument of Sardarabad was so cool, and so was the story. On May 21, 1918 the battle of Sardarabad began. The Armenians wanted to keep their homeland. The Armenian leader, Aram Manougian said “Not one step back”. The Armenians fought very hard to keep their homeland, and they succeeded. They gained their independence back.
This battle ended on May 28. We celebrate this day every year, and today was the 93rd time celebrating it. The monument of Sardarabad was built in 1968, by architect Rafael Israelian. The 12 bells represented the 12 capitols of Armenia. There were also 2 bulls representing the strength of the Armenians.
Today was great! I am glad I wrote about today. I had so much fun!
Hi Jonathan!
By Rita Orchanian
Day 9
Yerevan Metro was built in 1978 over 4km (2.5 miles) of tunnels, when the plans were redesigned so that the system would be opened as a full underground metro.
On 7 March 1981 the system was opened, becoming the eighth Soviet Metro system, with a first four station stage of 7.6 kilometers. Since then, the system has grown to a 12.1km (7.56 miles), 10 stations.
The engineering work was of such high quality that during the 1988 earthquake, which paralyzed the whole republic, although suffering some minor damage, the Metro managed to withstand the earthquake and continued to operate on the next day.
On 28 December 1999, the Metro was named after Karen Demirchyan, the man who was responsible for changing the status of the Rapid Tram system into becoming a Metro system.
Afterword we visited Independence station and from there, we went to Sasountsi Tavit station where his Statue was built in 1959, by Yervant Kochar. The statue was built by a copper and symbolized the heroism of our nation.
Then we went to General Antranig’s statue. Behind his statue there was the largest church St. Gregory Church was built in 2001 in honor of our 1700 years of Christianity.
We continued walking on Abovyan Street to Children’s Art Museum. This museum is the world only Children’s museum that displays all young artists’ paintings from the ages 3 years and up. We took the tour of the Museum and saw all the art works from all over the world children paintings.
After that we went to Ardavasd’s house for dinner.
By Sepahn Chiloyan
Day 10
Today we had a nice morning breakfast. We were ready to depart at 9:30.We hopped on the bus and we traveled for about 35 minutes to the Monastery of Geghard. Geghard is a church that is built in the mountain. It was built around the fourth century. It took 10 years to be made. The name Geghard means the point of the spear that was used to stab Christ. There is running water coming though the walls and running though the church. They say that the water is like holy water. People used to come to drink the water if they needed healing or if they wanted eternal life. The church was very big. I thought that the church was very beautiful. When were leaving, in the parking lot there were women selling Geghard bread. It’s a round sweet bread that is very tasty. Everyone bought a loaf or two and ate it on the bus. They were also selling fruit rollups which they call lavash.
The next place we went was the Temple of Garni. The Temple of Garni was built in the first century (70 BC). They call it the house of coolness because it is always cool outside. It was built on top of a ledge on a mountain top. Mountains surround Garni and the view is awesome. In the middle of the temple there is a big hole in the ground. Most of us were able to get into the hole. This hole was used as storage for the king that lived there for the summer. It held water or wheat depending on what needed to be stored.
Around the corner we stopped for lunch and saw how women made lavash bread in a hole in the ground. There were two women that were also in a hole making the lavash. One was rolling the dough and the other woman stretched the dough on a board and placed it in the wall of the hole. It took about 1minute to cook and serve. It was delicious.
The English learning center was our next stop. We met about 7 kids ages 5-12 years old. We played musical chairs, charades, and we danced together. We had fun time. They were happy to see us.
The last stop before dinner was Lake Sevan. We first climbed up 230 steps to the top and reached Soorp Arakelotz and Soorp Garabed. The view of Lake Sevan was spectacular! We finally went down all the steps and it was time to put our feet in the water. Everyone took off there shoes, rolled up their pants and jumped in! The water was freezing! Some of us got really wet and got soaked. We collected rocks and some water. Everyone enjoyed it!
We had a very busy day and its not over yet. We are on our way to dinner at Taboule. It was a really awesome day!
By Sena Changelian
Day 11
Today we woke up early in the morning and had breakfast. We ate eggs, pancakes, waffles, and cupcakes. We drank apple juice, hot chocolate, orange juice, and tea. It was so good. Now we are heading to Lori region. It is about 3 hours away.
On the way to Lori region we passed through earth quake areas (Spitak ). Spitak was constructed but there was still some buildings that needed to be rebuilt.
At Lori region we went to see Hovanhess Toumanians museum. His house was turned into a museum. When we first got into his house we smelled smoke, throughout the year, five to six times they make lavash bread. This was the only house in the village that made lavash. The first room that we went in did not have any windows. It was a storage room where they kept flour. Hovanness Toumanian had a big family. He had seven siblings, four brothers and three sisters.
His father was a priest and the church was very close to their house. His dad also played instruments and sang. The whole village came to Hovanness Toumanian’s house to listen to his father play and sing. Most of Hovannes Toumanian’s stories came from listening to the villagers in his house. Hovanness Toumanian’s grandfather was a brave man, he defended his village.
Hovaness Toumanian is a descendent of the Mamigonian family. Toumanian’s were a noble family.
When Hovanness Toumanian was eleven years, he started writing poems. Hovanness Toumanian wrote many stories. His stories became theatrical plays and operas.
When we left the museum we went next to his statue where his heart is buried. We said one of his poems and headed toward Sanahin monastery.
Sanahin structure is older than Haghpat. In Sanahin there are 2 churches. one of he church was built by King Bakradooni in 930 A.D. the names of the churches are St. Astvatzatzin and St. Amenaprgitch. Also between two churches was a university buildtin the 11th century.
Now we are on our way to Haghpat.
In Haghpat there are many churches and many Khachkars. In one of the churches we saw painted pictures on the walls from the 13th century. In the other church there were many holes to store and to preserve food. At one time there were over 10,000 Armenian manuscripts.
Now we are driving back to the hotel.
By Sonia Ourfalian
Day 12
Today we started the day with a delicious breakfast. We all loved it! Then we hit the road.
We were going to the Madenataran. It’s a place where we preserve books from the 9th to 19th century . We saw bibles, medicine books, and alchemy books. One of the books showed how to make glue out of the juice you get from onions and rice. They received red paint from the vortan karmir, blue paint from minerals, yellow paint from gold dust, green paint from copper oxide, and black paint from the dust on the macadamia nut. There were also Persian, Byzantine, Ottoman, Greek, and Arab manuscripts alongside the Armenian ones.
Next, we went to the Ministry of Diaspora. The people there talked about a summer camp in Armenia. We would go around the landmarks. The campers will also have some fun with the President. We will also have singalongs and campfires. I’m thinking about joining myself.
After the Ministry of Diaspora, we went to the Ancient Citadel of Erebuni. It was founded by King Argishti II of Urardu. He even made a gigantic cuniform tablet to be put on one of Erebuni’s walls to scare his enemies.
His enemies were the Assyrian, Hittite, and Median kingdoms. We went up to the ruins of Erebuni. It was amazing! On he way up, we heard snakes. I loved Erebuni the most out of all the other landmarks. The museum was even better!
Finally we went to Grand Candy. It was literally heaven! We enjoyed Bonchiks, a savory desert enjoyed by every Armenian. The flavors for Bonchiks are plain, chocolate cream, vanilla cream, and apricot. All of the Bonchiks are topped with tons of powder. We also got to get a bunch of other stuff such as truffles, candy fruits, chocolate bars etc. It was awesome!
I can’t believe it’s our last day today. I’ll miss Armenia so much !
By George Yeghyayan