Susan and Fred's Big Adventure: The Final Stretch

We somehow missed May entirely, or at least we failed to post anything. So much has been happening around here! May 25 was our last official day of classes, and we're now starting to think about the next 59 days as we wind down our lives here in Armenia.

So first, about school. They celebrate what's called "Last Bell" here in Armenia. The graduating 12th form doesn't really have a graduation ceremony with diplomas, but they do have hours of speeches, a class play/concert, and night time parties that last til dawn. Being at two schools, we both were able to be part of the last bell activities in our schools. Our days started with cake, brandy (for most), candy and toasts. Then a few hours of classes before the festivities began. All the classes lined up, dressed in mostly traditional black-and-white garb, and filed out into the school yard. The current 11th form kids walked out, followed by the 12th form students. Awards were presented to top students in all grades, and we had about an hour of music and speeches (all in Armenian, so I caught only a few words unfortunately).

At 1 o'clock the teachers and upper level students (10 and 11) filed into the newly-remodeled auditorium for the 12th grade production. Each of the classes presented skits, songs, dances. Some were incredibly clever, and the kids did a great job--even mimicking the teachers and the school director. I was touched that they presented me with flowers at the same time as their Armenian teachers.

At 6 o'clock, we went to Fred's 9th grade party at the local cafe. There was supposed to be pizza and cake, but the power was out in the cafe. They had a cake, and I can only assume that they finally ate it. We left after an hour and a half to go to two other parties. The first was for Fred's 12th form class. Their party was held at the local wedding hall and they served traditional khorovats (barbequed pork) with all the trimmings (tomato, cucumber, pickles, dried meat, candy, cake, drinks, and bread). They also had a live band and dancing. Tons of fun. At around 8 o'clock, we went to my school where the first floor had been transformed into a banquet and dance hall. Again, more barbeque and dancing. The girls in both venues were dressed in prom-type gowns (some long, some short), and suits/ties for most of the boys. We lasted til around 11 pm, but the party continued until dawn.

It's been hard getting used to not being at school everyday, not being in a classroom, not having a regular schedule, and especially not seeing the kids. I actually will be working with kids this summer to teach them using activity-based learning rather than merely textbooks. And I will be developing activities for next year's classes. There is much to do and little time to do it.

Our official Peace Corps duties are coming to a close as well. I have served on the Volunteer Advisory Council (VAC) for the past two years, and had my last meeting on June 1. The VAC is sort of like student council, and we try to work with staff on policies that affect the volunteers. The latest battle was over tampons and a recent decision not to provide them to female PCVs. The only difficulty with that decision is that you can't buy them anywhere except Yerevan, and it is shameful for an unmarried woman to use them. It's very interesting. So, the policy was changed back (PCVs are happy).

In 10 days Fred will leave for southern Armenia where he will be part of the Border-to-Border walk across Armenia. Between the two of us we will have walked the entire length of the country. This year's walk will be over 3 weeks rather than 2, which means shorter distances each day (we hope). The unfortunate thing is that it is scheduled for a time when it will be really, really hot. Over 95 degrees is forecast for much of Fred's walk. The biggest challenge will be getting fluids and replacing electrolytes. He will be gone for more than a month as he goes right into an English language summer camp on July 9. I hope to meet up with him sometime while he is walking, and it will be challenging to be apart for so long.

One of my closest Armenian friends has moved to Yerevan for the summer, and many of my site-mates are traveling to camps and the like. A number of PCVs in our A-18 group have already left Armenia, and more than half will be gone by July 3. Those who are staying live pretty far away, so I expect it will be a bit lonely up here. By the time Fred returns, we will have only 2 weeks left at our site.

So we are in the final stretch. We still have to sort out what we will take, what to throw out or give away, what to ship, etc. There is so much to do. But we have a flight at 5 am on August 3, and mountains of Peace Corps paperwork to finish on August 1 and 2. By the time we leave, we will have been here for 800 days. When we started, it seemed so far away. Now it seems way too soon.

Where will we land? We have no idea right now. Much will depend on where and whether we are able to find jobs. So we shall see.

Thank you all for your love and support these past two years. We couldn't have done this without you.

Here are a few photos from the last day of school at my school . . . There are no words to express how much I love each of these kids and how much I will miss them.