give thanks

Last night our group of 75 volunteers came together to cook up a Thanksgiving day feast. The menu was straight up - traditional turkey, dressing, and pie. And it was a great dinner, anything that is off the beaten path of Armenian cuisine usually is. I like to think of these people, in a way, as my family right now. We share the same struggles, rejoice in the same small victories, laugh about the same absurd differences in culture, and live in a place that can be harsh and lonely. I am thankful for them as much as I am for the friends and family I have home in America who have shown me love and support in the same kind ways. I wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.

on the clock half asleep

I found this man sleeping by his big stack of old used books in the metro station in Yerevan on my way home. I was pretty tired too, so I couldn't help myself. The lady selling metro coins promptly told me that I wasn't allowed to take pictures of people in the metro station. I laughed a little, then scaled down the escalators to catch my ride.

apple?

Real apples, and the apple iPhone. Nobody knows what to do with or without them. I don't have an iPhone - but I do have more apples at home than I know what to do with.

flat tire, cheeseburger coma, and a walk with old friends

It's been wonderful to see friends and my family from my home state of Texas - and these are just a few images of the moments I've had so far.

slideshow

I put together this small slideshow - please forgive the numerous snapshots - for friends and family so that I wouldn't have to spend so much time explaining the details about Armenia. It's a 5 minute take on my journey here; it begins with the first picture I took and ends with a recent-ish one. I put it to The Hood Internet's 'Radiohead vs. Eve', as well as a new Neko Case tune I really like. I hope you also enjoy the music, and the pictures.