7. Study Visit 2010

29. April until 8. Mai 2010

Guides: Adrian Künsch-Wälchli und Julia Möckli

Accompanying Persons: Gor und Kima (YMCA Spitak)

Armenia from my point of view

by Eugénie Renold

On Thursday April 29th 2010 the plane has landed. One could hear faint applause in the City Jet in which not even 15% of all seats were occupied. But at least we had a direct flight from Zurich to Yerevan. I was nervousely shaking when I first stepped on Armenian ground. What a feeling: a mixture of „oh dear, where am I here?“ and „wow“. Fortunately my luggage has arrived, as has the luggage of most of the group. Only the luggage of Madeleine had a typical Armenian delay of three days. But, „votch intch“ as Armenians would say, which means something like „don’t worry“ or „it does not matter“ or „it’s nothing“.
On Friday we went to Spitak to celebrate the opening of the „Home for the Future“. I experienced one of the most overwhelming weekends of my life. The official opening ceremony took place on Saturday, but already on Friday we started celebrating to get to know each other. The Swiss delegation brought Fondue with them. Two different cultures met each other and became one. We danced, sang, laught, talked, hugged and played games. We got to know each other and became friends. On Saturday, at the opening ceremony, once again the same, but in addition lots and lots of tears of joy were shed. One could feel the love in the air, which was almost overwhelming. YMCA Spitak and Cevi Zurich grew together into one big family. And I amongst all these people, could become a part of it. These unforgetable moments and encounters are still impressing me. On Sunday our pastor Ralph is preaching a sermon which brings me to tears. Though, I am not sure if it was the sermon or the sense of having to leave very soon that made me weep. So, do not worry, Ralph, if you read this, your sermon was great.
As it is some sort of a cosmic law that all good things have an end, also our trip to Armenia had to end as does my report here. I could go on and on about it. But 2000 characters have got to be enough. So, I try to be short on the last six days in Armenia: Churches, monasteries, red mountains, rivers that flow backwards, Ararat, Yerevan, Genocide museum, delicious food, new encounters and longing for Spitak. This trip with all ist impressions and emotions has changed me notably. As soon as I landed in Switzerland, I just wanted one thing very badly: to get into the City Jet and fly back. This longing did not leave me until now. If you have experienced Armenia once, it will call you to come back again and again. So, do not worry, second homeland, I will come back!