8. Study Visit 2012

Adventure Armenia – a Journey of Discovery

23. April - 3. May

Guides: Julia Möckli and Alis Balyan

Accompanying Person: Ani Ayvazyan (YMCA Spitak)

By Mirjam Menzi
We are guests in a country with an interesting history, where people have to deal with everyday worries about which we haven’t thought until now. Our first day in Yerevan is the memorial day for the genocide at the Armenian people in 1915. Together with thousands of people we walk up to „Tsitsernakabert“ and put down our pinks on the wall full of flowers next to the eternal fire.
By visiting old monasteries, we explore the old tradition of christianity in Armenia. These monastery complexes are often situated on isolated places in the middle of nowhere – such as Tatev, where a Swiss company has built a cablecar over a canyon to reach the monastery more easily. From time to time we sing a YMCA-song in one of the chapels.
We have been fortunate many times to explore the Armenian hospitality at first hand. The table was often too small for all the coffee, tea, wine, fruits, pastry and chocolate! Guests are beeing treated like princesses and princes. We see behind the curtain of the Armenian living rooms, where usually three generations live together. The spontaneity and immense generosity are a real experience. We also have the pleasure to be guests at four YMCA-centres. We are all connected through the YMCA, no matter how many national borders and language borders we have to cross!
We drive over 1500 kilometers by bus, carefully driven by our lovely driver. The mountains around Spitak we explored by food – accompanied by local Scouts. From there we have a great panoramic view over whole Spitak and the surrounding villages. By sitting in the grass, we look at the surrounding white mountains and have fun with our Armenian friends. We are very grateful for these experience in Armenia!