Day 1 & 2
First, we started the departure with praying and saying our goodbyes. Next, we’re almost to Armenia! After we said our goodbyes, we headed into the bus that would take us to the airport. After waiting a couple of hours and having something to eat, we boarded Air France.We were all so excited! After 6 hours, we finally made it to Paris, France. We stayed in Paris for 4 and a half hours, and then we boarded Air France after taking pictures. Just half an hour more, and then we land in Armenia!
When we got there, we got our luggage and went on the bus to check into the hotel. After we checked in, we went to our rooms and put our luggage in there. We were all hungry, so we went to Mer Dakh to eat dinner. There we ate lehmajoun, bread, and mante. The bread of the lehmajoun was so thin! We started walking back to the hotel around one o’clock. We got back to the hotel around two o’clock, having a short night’s sleep. We had so much fun!
-Bianca Tamburrini
Day 3
This morning after breakfast, we got onto the bus and we headed for Etchmiadzin. On the bus we sang Hayr Mer, Hymn Artsakhy and Harach Nahadag.
The Cathedral of Echmiadzin is very beautiful. It has a khach kar in front of it. The khach kar has an eagle and a sword on it. The inside of the church has two places to put candles. There was also a spot in the front of the room where there were candle holders hanging from the ceiling. We bought 70 candles to light for everyone who donated in honor or memory of their loved ones. Since today was Sunday and there was badarak, there were a lot of people there. We saw the Vehapar as he was walking to church and he touched us on our heads to bless us.
After Echmiadzin, we went to a church were Mesrop Mashdots was buried. We went into a basement to see his burial place. The basement was small and had one lamp hanging from the ceiling. We didn’t get a chance to light a candle or put flowers down on Mesrop Mashdots’s grave. The room that we went into had a big picture of Mesrop Mashdots. We said a poem in the room where Mesrop Mashdots was buried. After that we went to his statue and took pictures. Outside of the church, we took pictures with khatchkar Armenian letters.
After that we headed for the bus and drove off to get lunch. For lunch we had lahmajun, kebab, and pilaf. After we ate we went outside and we saw this dog that was a german shepherd. His name was sujukh.
When we got to Dzidzernagapert we went into the Armenian Genocide museum and saw some slides, old artifacts, and books made by famous people. Then when the tour was done we got our flowers and started walking to the monument.
We then went to Dzidzernagapert. At Dzidzernagapert we saw the needle shaped tower and the twelve pillared circle. Inside we put down our two flowers and prayed around the eternal flame.
-Alina Chaparian
Day 4
Today we started by going to eat breakfast. Everyone needed to check out of the hotel because we would be driving to Artsakh. The first sight we saw was Gomitas’s garden. There were 61 gravestones, including Gomitas, Aram Khachadourian, William Saroian, and Sos Sarkissian. We left the garden singing Harach Nahadag and marching. In the bus we started to drive to Khor Virap. Antrias read his description of Khor Virap as well as Maral read her description of Mount Ararat. They both asked questions to the crowd. Zabel our tour guide described the boarders of Armenia and Turkey. Getting close to Ararat we started getting really festive and started singing songs.
In Khor Virap we went down the pit were Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years. There were very steep ladders that you had no choice but to climb down if you wanted to see the deep pit. Coming up, well that was a different problem. It felt so much more steep up then down. Feeling the ladder shaking was so terrifically scary, after we were out of the pit all of our hands were wobbling. At the time Gregory was imprisoned there were no ladders so they would just throw the prisoners 27ft down into the depths.
After we left Khor Virab, we went to have lunch in Sisian and after we ate we danced around the restaurant. Then we drove to Karahunge, Stonehenge, where they were many prehistoric rocks with holes. Years ago, if your mother or father died, you would have to bury them by the rock houses. Karahunge was thought to be one of the oldest observations in the world. We had to walk a long distance from the bus. We walked through the long grass while looking at the beautiful mountain view. Later, we sat on the bus again until we drove many hours to Artsakh. On the way to Artsakh, we all slept, sang Armenian songs, and recited poems.
After the bus ride, we finally got to Artsakh! We checked into our rooms, that were all on the same floor. We came down at 9:45 to eat dinner. The dinner was really good. We had steak, fish, french fries, and soda. We had a nice view of Artsakh from the windows. We had a great time!
– Koko Iskenderian and Talar Markarian
Day 5
We had breakfast at the hotel, and we drove to ARS-Sosse kindergarten school. The children performed for us with them singing and dancing. Many of us were emotional in a good way. We said our goodbyes, and headed to the Kantsasar Monastary.
At the Kantsasar Monastery, we saw tombstones,and they all had different meanings. One meant you’re not perfect without God. Another one meant the Earth. At the church, there were many, many Khatchkars. At the end, we were riding on a white horse waving an Armenian flag.
We had lunch at Nigol Touman Museum. At the museum, there was a place were you can make coins. It was lots of fun. In the museum, we learned about Nigol Touman. He was a very brave smart person. He helped Armenians with wars and battles. Nigol’s nickname was Touman, which means “Storm”. He died at the age of 47. He was very sick. While we were there, it started to rain. It also started to thunder. We quickly ran to the papik & tatik statues. We took pictures and thunder almost stroked on us.
Arriving at hotel we went to the swimming pool had lots of fun! Dinner was amazing great food and great company we ended the night with accordion and singing Armenian songs.
– Andre Avedis Monteiro
Day 5
We had breakfast at the hotel, and we drove to ARS-Sosse kindergarten school. The children performed for us with them singing and dancing. Many of us were emotional in a good way. We said our goodbyes, and headed to the Kantsasar Monastary.
At the Kantsasar Monastery, we saw tombstones,and they all had different meanings. One meant you’re not perfect without God. Another one meant the Earth. At the church, there were many, many Khatchkars. At the end, we were riding on a white horse waving an Armenian flag.
We had lunch at Nigol Touman Museum. At the museum, there was a place were you can make coins. It was lots of fun. In the museum, we learned about Nigol Touman. He was a very brave smart person. He helped Armenians with wars and battles. Nigol’s nickname was Touman, which means “Storm”. He died at the age of 47. He was very sick. While we were there, it started to rain. It also started to thunder. We quickly ran to the papik & tatik statues. We took pictures and thunder almost stroked on us.
Arriving at hotel we went to the swimming pool had lots of fun! Dinner was amazing great food and great company we ended the night with accordion and singing Armenian songs.
– Andre Avedis Monteiro
Day 6
Today we left Artsakh to go to Jermuk , on the way, we stopped at a military tank which was the first tank to enter Shushi to protect the land. During the Shushi fight a brave Armenian soldier was in this tank but he sadly died after getting shot. We also went to an Armenian church right next to the tank in which the Azeris kept their weapons and bombs. They kept their weapons there because they knew that the Armenians would never fire at their own church. After going to the church and tank we went to the Khachadoor Apovian Armenian School where we met students our age and we sang and recited poems to each other and had a great time.
Today we all went to the Longest Tramway in the world. The tramway is in Datev, Armenia. The tramway was the coolest thing I have ever done! (other than Khor Virab.) Anyway, we came to Datev, we saw the Tramway, and we all got excited, but first we had to eat lunch. For lunch, we went to ” Datevadoon” and ate salad, kufta, and lavash. After, it was finally time to ride the tramway.
The tramway was 12 minutes long, but it felt like 30 minutes. In the middle of the tramway, there are some poles that stand the tramway. When you go past the poles, you go up and down. It was so much fun! We went passed at least 3 poles before it finished. Once we arrived at the other side of the mountains, there was a church, and an Oil Mill that we view sited. At the church, the girls had to wear white cloth on their heads, and we prayed with the priest in the church. Then, I FaceTimed my family, and then we went on the tramway to get back to the other side of the mountain. This time on the tramway, I sat in the back.
When we finally got there, it was time to go head to Jermuk. So, we got into the bus and drove 2 hours all the way to Jermuk. Finally we get there, and check into our rooms.
We all had so much fun today!!!!!
-Maral Abrahamian and Sienna Soghomonian
Day 7
This morning we had breakfast. After that we went behind the hotel and went to see the Hotsprings and we felt the water. The temperatures of the water were 30,35,45, and 50 celsius. We walked back to the hotel and got on the little vans. The bus couldn’t go down on the path to Jermuk because the roads were too narrow. We went and saw the waterfalls.
When we were there we walked to a really big waterfall and there were stairs that went up the side of the waterfall so, we went up them and took a picture. Then we took the pictures the students went up the stairs first and then the parents. Then we walked back to the vans and went back to the hotel.
In Jermuk we saw big sculptures of Armenian heroes.
The church in Noravank was a tan-ish color. Before we climbed the stairs we went and saw the other church and lit some candles. After we did that we went to the Noravank church and climbed the stairs. The stairs were very skinny. On the side of the stairs was a little rope that went all the way to the top. When you reach the top there is a little room that on top of the church. We took a look around the little room and then took pictures in the opening and then we went down. When we were done with that we all went to lunch. The lunch was very good.
Back in Yerevan, at night, we saw a big statue of Armenian hero Garegin Njdeh.
-Serena Antoine
Day 9
We had a free day yesterday. Today is day 9 and we had a lot of fun.
We are going to Gyumri . We went to a surprise destination. It was a field of stones that were shaped as letters. The second surprise was that there was so much mud that people were cleaning their shoes for 10 minutes. We all took photos next to the letter representing the first letter of our first name.
We stopped at a place that had bread and ice-cream. I had soft serve ice-cream and bread. The bread was made in a big tonir. It was so warm because inside of it was rocks, wood, and fire.
We went to a place that there were a lot of statues of fedayees and took a picture next to statue of Andranik. As we were walking in the city of Gyumri, we went by a place where they make lavash bread. They gave us lavash to eat. We were eating the bread and we saw a lot of broken houses. It was from the earthquake of 1988.
When we were in Gyumri plaza we saw Dooff kars. I took a Dooff kar as a souvenir. We went to Hovanes Tomanian’s house museum. We made a picture of him with thumbtacks. We also said a poem. We learned that when he died he wanted his heart to be buried on the top of Mount Ararat, because his heart will always be with Mount Ararat. He also wanted to not have a gravestone because if Mount Ararat ever is ours again he wants to hear the sound of the people’s cheers.
We went to lunch at DI NapoLi Italian restaurant. I had bread, chicken, and french fries. At the end, I had chocolate ice cream. The ice cream was so good and so was the food.
Now we are going to Yerevan. We went to a Barekamutyun dance show. We saw a lot of dances and in one of the dances the kids were dancing. The costumes were great.
-Naera Margios
Day 10
Today is a very special day for me. It’s my birthday and I get to celebrate it in Armenia!!!! It’s also Armenian independence day. My friends and I were wearing the school’s orange T-shirts and heading to Sardarabad.
When we were on the bus we saw the beautiful view of Mount Ararat. All my friends loved the beautiful view. Because every day Mount Ararat is always in the clouds and difficult to see.
Then we went to Sardarabad to celebrate Armenian Independence Day. Sardarabad has a beautiful monument which has twelve bells that represent the twelve providence’s of Armenia. What we saw were different groups of soldiers, generals,
and locals. The president arrived and the soldiers played a different march for him.
Then they played a song for the Catholicos and important people were putting flowers for the people who fought for that war. The local news came and interviewed us. It was a great experience.
In the evening we went to a local restaurant. We danced and ate all night. I was so excited to celebrate my birthday in Armenia with my classmates!!!
-George Chapian
Day 11
Today was a very busy day. We had to wake up at 6:00 and go to breakfast at 7:00. After a day of partying and dancing yesterday, I really didn’t feel like waking up at 6:00. Instead I woke up at 6:30. We had a buffet for breakfast, as usual I got waffles and maple syrup.
After breakfast, we headed into the bus to go to Keghartavank. We sang and slept in the bus. Finally, we got to Keghartavank. We prayed, lit candles, and examined the ancient cuneiforms. Once we got out of Keghart we went to a little market. There were crowns made out of flowers, Armenian foods, and souvenirs. I got the floral crown – it surprisingly looked great on me. All my friends laughed and they found it amusing.
Later, when we arrived at Karni, I realized that all of that driving payed off. The view was beautiful and incredible. The hills and valleys were covered with greenery. The temple was also very impressive. It had huge rocks and towering columns and the best part was that you could feel the presence of the ancient kings. The temple reminded me of a book about greek mythology, called Percy Jackson. It reminded me of this because Karni was based on a sort of Helenic-Armenian style, and greek style is very similar to what Karni actually is. We took a mini hike through the small woods and into a bathhouse, then we walked to the small shopping center. I bought some peach tea. Finally we walked back to the bus, and we drove to lunch.
In the afternoon we went to Sevana Lij. We climed a huge staircase with 209 stairs to the top of the mountain where the church was. When we got to the top, Sarah and I collected Obsidian stones. We went inside the church and lit candles. On the mountain I found a crystal like rock. Then we went back down and a few of us went to the gift shop and got cool things. The last thing we did was take our socks and shoes off and dipped our feet in the cold blue waters of Lake Sevan.
After that we headed to the Sevan English Learning Center. We met and made new friends. We played games like untangle and musical chairs. I made a new friend and asked his name, his age and his favorite game which he said was football (soccer). Then we danced with our new friends and had a few snacks. We also took a picture with them and then said goodbye.
For dinner we had pizza and yummy pasta. While we were eating, we saw a cute stray cat out the window. It was a great day!
-Antrias Kahvejian and Aren panian
Day 12
Today, in the early morning heat, we left in the bus for the TUMO technology center. We watched a film about TUMO and then went in our separate ways, the parents to the hotel and us to the activities.(The activities consisted of either robotics, sketching, animation, and game development.)
After we finished our two hour sessions, Digin Ardemis came and downloaded them onto her drive. After that part, we went to the basketball court and played some basketball. After five minutes, we gave up because it was too hot, and so we went to enjoy a lunch at TUMO.
After our awesome time at TUMO, we left under the hot sun into the bus. After a short drive to the Madenataran, the museum of illuminated manuscripts, we could learn while walking around in the air conditioning. We saw Tzoug and Hsgah manuscripts and a lot of manuscripts in other languages like Hebrew and Russian. Then we saw a map of Armenia in Dikran the Great’s rule and all of the places manuscripts were found.
At the end of the day, around 5:00, we left to the Ministry of Diaspora to donate money to the families of two fallen soldiers in the Artsakh in the April of 2016. It was a very emotional moment in our lives, but I felt proud that our school was doing whatever they could to help these families.
-Gregory Tinkjian
Day 13
To start off our lovely day, we prayed in the bus for a good trip. After a while we got to the Alexander Tamanyan statue. Alexander Tamanyan is an architect who designed the modern city of Yerevan. The statue looked very nice but the unique thing about it is that there is a map of Yerevan next to the statue.
While our class was taking a few pictures, a pigeon flew on the statue’s head! After we took pictures of us and the map, we went to the Cascades which is a big staircase that leads to a great view of Ararat mountains. We had a contest about who can get down the fastest. There was an escalator and the stairs. I took the escalator with George, Alina, Sienna, Talar and, Digin Ardemis. We were the first ones down so I said we should get points for all of us.
We walked back to the bus and drank water from the fountain, it was really pure. Then we got back on the bus. After we went to the Avedisian school and we met the kids at the school. We talked about ourselves and hanged out. We also made them presents and gave the presents to our pen pals.
After we got a mini tour of the school, we went back on the bus to go plant trees. I’m going to plant an apple tree. My buddy was not at the school so I had to be with someone else she was a girl and she is 12. She was really kind and her name is Azadouhi !
We took the bus to the youth forest in Yerevan. We walked for at least ten minutes, then met up with our pen pals. Once we met up people who were in the ATP (Armenia Tree Project), simply showed us how to get dirt and plant the tree. We all started to get with our pen pals and start planting!
There were piles of dirt scattered around us. We grabbed our shovels and put dirt where the trees were in. The trees were already in some-what of small holes, so we put dirt. We didn’t get to water the trees because we had to go.
We got to eat “catah”, a sort of sweet bread, with some juice. We hopped in the Avedisian school’s bus to head back to our bus because since we walked to the forest we had to take a bus. We had lots of fun planting trees with our pen pals!
For lunch we went to “Gaidz Lehmajon”. We ate lehmajon, pizza, and bread with zatar. We had a pretty good lunch!
We went to the Hovhannes Toumanian museum and saw cool facts. We saw manuscripts, and some of his books. We also saw a 3D movie called the Unlucky Panos. We went in groups by fours. In the museum we saw his first book, his first love poem and we saw a small some-what show of him on a projector in a room. He was doing what he would do in his life. Then we went from the museum to his last living home. In the home we saw pictures of his 6 girls and 4 boys. We saw one of the girls room, a kitchen, a balcony, and office. In his office it was very clean! He had statues, picture frames, and he had this box. This box on the wall had his heart (which isn’t there anymore). We saw some things from his book “Gigor”. We had a fascinating time at the Hovannes Toumanian home museum (wasn’t actually where he lived) and we got to see some more details about him.
For dinner we had yummy foods and yummy pasta. It was a great day!
-Sarah Joubanian and Michelle Joubanian
Day 14
Today was the last day, but I don’t wanna kill the vibe, so I’m going to say that today was super cool! We had a delicious breakfast, then we started off the day by taking the metro, and when we got on the elevator, it went really fast! Also, we needed tokens to get into the security gate.
Later, we went to the statue of Sasuntsi Tavit. It was in a small man made pool of water. He was on his horse, Kourgig Chalali. In his hand was a sword named Toor Gaydzagin. After, we all took pictures alone and together, and we got back onto the bus.
Then, we went to the statue of Vartan Mamigonian, he put his two arms out on his horse. We also took lots of pictures and now were in the bus!
After, we went to Komitas Vartabed’s, or Soghomon Soghomonian’s museum and it showed his personal belongings, piano, notes etc. We also sang his well-known song “Siroonig.” Then we left.
After we went to the History Museum of Armenia and we saw the worlds oldest shoe, clay pots, bows and arrows etc. Later, we went back to our hotel, the Marriott and picked up our parents, now were in the bus on our way to Grand Candy.
45 minutes later… When we arrived at Grand Candy it was super colorful and crowded and most of is got Bonchicks which is like, fried dough with chocolate inside it. I got chocolate ice cream, and it was like Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, it had taffy, gum, hard candy, chocolate (milk and dark), and so much more!!
We had a little free time, and then we hopped onto the bus, and headed to a cool restaurant called Parvana we danced A LOT, cried (because were leaving Armenia, and tears of joy!), ate lots of food etc… It was fun, but it was our last night in Armenia so the 5th grade class of 2017 says, see you soon! Are you excited to see us again?
-Zepure Merdinian