Yesterday marked another milestone in our service. We have 100 days until we are Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs). On August 3, 2012 we will be winging our way back to the U.S. for the next phase of our adventure. Details to follow as we know them.
In the meantime, our sincerest thanks to everyone for their love and support these past two years. You have made our lives more comfortable with your care packages, and your cards, letters and e-mail have kept our spirits up when we most needed it. So thank you, one and all.
On April 24, we traveled to Yerevan with some of our students to pay our respects at the Genocide Memorial. The museum and memorial serve as a reminder to all Armenians of the 1915 Genocide in Turkey. It was wonderful to see it through the eyes of our students, and to be part of the remembrance activities. After a 3 hour marshutni ride, we took a subway, walked a few kilometers, and then joined a 2 1/2 hour solemn march with a few hundred thousand people to the monument itself. Once there, we placed flowers on a flower wall surrounding the perpetual flame. By the end of the day, the bank of flowers was more than 4 feet high. This will give you an idea of what it looked like.
The night before we had participated in a candlelight march with our schools through the town to our local church. We did it last year, and it was a silent march. This year was a bit different--there were chants of "recognize" and the students carried signs and flags. We're so glad we could be a part of both of these events. We are constantly asked why America won't recognize the Genocide, and must always find a way to tactfully respond. In truth, it's a political issue on which we can have no opinion.
That's all for this post. It's way past spring here. The lilacs have come and gone, and it's already hot. Can't wait to see what real summer is going to be like!
We will be seeing you soon . . .
In the meantime, our sincerest thanks to everyone for their love and support these past two years. You have made our lives more comfortable with your care packages, and your cards, letters and e-mail have kept our spirits up when we most needed it. So thank you, one and all.
On April 24, we traveled to Yerevan with some of our students to pay our respects at the Genocide Memorial. The museum and memorial serve as a reminder to all Armenians of the 1915 Genocide in Turkey. It was wonderful to see it through the eyes of our students, and to be part of the remembrance activities. After a 3 hour marshutni ride, we took a subway, walked a few kilometers, and then joined a 2 1/2 hour solemn march with a few hundred thousand people to the monument itself. Once there, we placed flowers on a flower wall surrounding the perpetual flame. By the end of the day, the bank of flowers was more than 4 feet high. This will give you an idea of what it looked like.
The night before we had participated in a candlelight march with our schools through the town to our local church. We did it last year, and it was a silent march. This year was a bit different--there were chants of "recognize" and the students carried signs and flags. We're so glad we could be a part of both of these events. We are constantly asked why America won't recognize the Genocide, and must always find a way to tactfully respond. In truth, it's a political issue on which we can have no opinion.
That's all for this post. It's way past spring here. The lilacs have come and gone, and it's already hot. Can't wait to see what real summer is going to be like!
We will be seeing you soon . . .
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