Winter Thoughts: Distracting Myself from Grad Apps

Things I think about during the day: pretending snow is sand, warm things, music, grad school apps, food, other random nonsense.

I guess I'll start with music because things just got interesting. Let me just say what song just popped up on Spotify: Monster Mash. Highly recommend the 1960's Nostalgia playlist, pretty great. I've been so indecisive lately with music, some of the new Indie-pop bands are really dope, just some of the songs are starting to sound the same -- feel indifferent about some of them. Everyone keeps talking about Adele though, that's cool, I guess. But Night Fever just popped up, so the BeeGees will have to do for now.

Anyway, Winter, yeah....winter. Yerevan is beautiful covered in fresh snow. If I think the snow is sand my feet get a little warmer, which helps most days. Speaking of weather:  I went back to the Central Coast when I was back home in California, and I forgot what a little bit of rain can do to California. El Nino finally brought life back to the Central Valley. I had never seen so much green in years; so thankful for it. For those who don't know, California has been in a five-year drought (more like forever drought) , which sparked water-wars between the farmers and the local governments. Fun fact: a good amount of the agricultural sector is ran by Armenians.

Next song: Tragedy by the BeeGees.

Applications aren't fun, I'll leave it at that. I think all my friends, abroad and in the United States know that's been one of the only things on my mind. Anyways--

Next song: You Should Be Dancing, same artist. Too bad it's not Friday-- They always play the BeeGees later at night at my one of my favorite bars here in Yerevan (Melrose) 

Mini-story time:

I had a mini "ah-ha" moment during the screening of the Woman in Gold, the one about Maria Altmann and her quest to retrieve the painting of her aunt, (the Woman in Gold), Gustav Klimt painting. Earlier this week, it was International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust and speaking of my graduate school apps and I guess genocide in general, definitely reminded me of a few different things.

One: There's a scene in the movie where Altmann's (played by Helen Mirren) young character is fleeing Austria and leaves her family and her dad switches from German to English. As Maria is about to flee Vienna and head to the US, her family embraces one last time.

Maria's Mom: You must live, Maria. You must move forward. There is no future here. Maria’s dad: And so, from now on, we speak in the language of your future. Maria’s dad on moving to Austria: We did everything to contribute and belong and we are proud of what we’ve done.
Maria’s dad: I ask you only one thing, remember us. Take us with you in your heart and learn to be happy again.

The last words spoken before Maria's family was taken by the Nazis. Definitely hit home in so many ways; I can't even begin to explain.

Next Song: Daft Punk, Instant Crush

Throughout the movie, Maria fears about going home to a country she considered home, but had so much fear about going back after everything that had happened. As she gains her confidence to go back and stroll the streets once again, she finds peace with herself. One of the men on the committee to approve her getting back her painting questions her as to why she won't leave it in Austria, a place where she once lived and considered home. Maria: I have to do what I can to keep these memories alive, because people forget—especially the young. Throughout the whole movie, Maria discusses the fact the painting is all she has left of her family. One painting. At the end of the movie, it shows Altmann at Ellis Island trying to speak English and all the new immigrants.

Two: For myself, this whole movie was so relevant to my own life. I can almost say every Armenian in Fresno is a descendant of a genocide survivor. My whole interest in human rights began after knowing what happened in Cambodia. I never knew about the Khmer Rouge, or the events which took place in Cambodia during the seventies. And of course, it ties me back to Armenian culture and our own Մեծ Եղեռն (Medz Yeghern, which means Great Crime) But yeah, the whole idea of escaping the past, but keeping the memories.

About a year ago, my tatik (grandma in Armenian) showed with me my great-grandfather's story. In 1972 I believe, he sat down one day and wrote his whole escape from Western Armenia, describing what he remembered during the journey. He describes every single moment of his escape and coming to America and this idea of survival, assimilation, and keeping the memory alive. Assimilation is a big thing and the desire to blend in.

Next song: Canon in D Major 

Language is an important thing, it keeps culture alive in my opinion. Even if it is only a few words.I haven't been able to put all my energy towards learning Armenian until I finish writing/editing applications, but it will be better soon. Basically, the whole point of this story is it is important to keep these things alive and this whole idea of remembering where your roots are, where you came from. These things are important. Family is important, the good and bad.

Three: My family never passed down Hayaren due to the fact one spoke Armenian and one spoke Turkish, and the desire to assimilate. Difficult times happen throughout lifetimes, that's why we are all different. Some words are still spoken today, but hopefully I can pick up what was missed out on. But then again, that's why we are all so different, so we can learn from one another.

Home in Hayastan

Barev Dzez, (hello in Armenian)

Well...I decided to resurrect my blog for various reasons, but I am glad to be back and writing on my own time again. The first thing I did when I opened up my blog page was go back and read through my adventures in Israel and Palestine, along with the few posts in India. Still can't believe I went through all that I did, especially the times in Israel and Palestine. Quite the adventure. Back to Haystan:  I really am enjoying every minute here, I can't believe two months have already flown by. A quick recap on what I am doing here: I am volunteering with an organization called, Birthright Armenia (Depi Hayk) and no, it is nothing like Birthright Israel, two completely different organizations. I take language classes twice a week with an amazing teacher and intern full-time at the UNDPI (UN Department of Public Information). Our department is in charge of writing web stories, organizing events, and raising awareness of human rights/sustainable development. Please like and follow to keep up with the exciting news about everything taking place here in Armenia:

http://un.am/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNArmenia/ 

 For those interested in Women's Rights:
https://www.facebook.com/WomensSupportCenter/?pnref=story

Children: Children of Armenia Fund:
https://www.facebook.com/COAFkids/?fref=ts

One Armenia:  promoting Sustainable Development
https://www.facebook.com/onearmenia/ 

Right now, many of these awesome organizations have holiday awareness and campaigns going on, check em'
 
...

 The UN Armenia staff, in all departments, have been nothing but the best. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be surrounded with for most of my days. Aside from working at the UNDPI, Birthright Armenia has been an amazing program to work with. The Birthright Armenia team works hard to ensure all volunteers are able to find their own path here in Hayastan and figure out for themselves what it means to be here. Most of you have probably seen pictures of me and my host mom, Aida. She welcomed me with warm arms and helped me feel at home from day one. Our relationship has grown day-by-day and I couldn't be more thankful for everything she has done for me. From baking, to dolma making, to helping me learn Armenian and Russian might I add, it has been nothing but amenalav (the best). I could sit here all day and talk about the amazing people I have met here from my co-workers to new friends. I absolutely love each and every one of them. Here is a quick recap of the places I have traveled to within a quick two-month span:

Lori, Vanadazor Region
Spitak (city hit by the quake in '88)
Lake Sevan
Lastiver (beautiful place to hike)
Gyumri

and I know there has to be a few more, I can't think right now.

Anyways,

Aside from interning, re-applying to graduate school (which I hate spending time doing), and learning everything, I actually have a side project I have been in the process of working on: tracing Saroyan's steps within Armenia and Fresno. From growing up in a fairly large Armenian-American community, I see the connection that Saroyan makes throughout his stories. It's hard to explain for those who are not from Fresno or who have not read Saroyan, but for those who have, he discusses how he always heard about Armenia and grew up in Fresno with people who were Armenian, but there was still some disconnection as he never quite understood some things or why certain things were the way they were. His life was complicated from being in an orphanage, to gambling, to Paris, to almost losing EVERYTHING, Saroyan undoubtedly put Armenians, as well as Fresno on the map within the United States; and what I mean by 'put on the map' is he has the ability to captivate an audience to get interested about this city right smack in the Central Valley. Go Fresno. Go Saroyan. Go Haystan.

The next five months of my life will consist of working on this project alongside my internship here at the UN and just enjoying everything here in Hayastan. I swear some days I feel like I'm in Fresno with some of the interactions I have with people, feels like I am in Sunday School all over again. Or just talking to my best friend and cousins all the time. Anyways, feel free to keep up with me and my journey.

Best,

A. Fox 

Hindu Babas (Hippies) and Varanasi

I apologize for not keeping up with this blog, it has been a crazy month of traveling and what not.  I start an internship connecting with NGOs and helping an Indian family start a bead business on Monday. India has been a whirl-wind of experiences that have been filled with great times as well as tough times. It has been the best learning experience as I have seen across the spectrum in terms of religion as well as people. India is one, if not the most diverse place in the world as there are over 1,300 dialects spoken here. Hindi actually is not as hard to pick up as we have been taking classes for a week now. We may even be able to write full sentences in script by the time we return home. Anyway, here is one of my very brief essays on Varanasi and what it means to Hindus to make the pilgrimage there.

My first impressions of Varanasi dealt with the fact it was one of the most bizarre places I have ever been. As religion revolves and fuels India, it was interesting to finally see a hot spot for Hindus as Varanasi is known as one of the few pilgrimage spots. As Eck introduces The Image of God, she starts out the paragraph stating: “It is visibly apparent to anyone who visits India or who sees something of India through the medium of film that this is a culture in which the mythic imagination has been very generative (Eck, 42). Around every single corner, one can find a temple or a deity in a small shrine filled with incense. Outsiders such as Mark Twain back in the day described places in India “a vast museum of idols—all of them crude, misshapen, and ugly. They flock through one’s dreams at night, a wild move of nightmares” (Eck, 44).                                                        

  At first, it took a day to get used to the idea of pilgrimage and the fact that people travel from all around India, as well as the world to witness what happens there. However, for some reason, I could not get myself to really feel what was going on around me. I could see it with my eyes, but it did not do anything for me spirituality wise since it is not my religion. I am just an outsider observing what is going on around me. However, the important thing is, I can appreciate and understand the need for this for Hindus, even though I will never find a true desire to do so myself. It was amazing to watch people in the early morning doing their daily rituals such as praying then submersing themselves into the river, or at night when the mantras were chanted while making the sign of the “om” with fire.                Something that is also important note that Fuller describe is the idea of pilgrimage in the modern day: “Today, the mass media and better education have improved ordinary people’s knowledge about Hinduism’s sacred centers and how to reach them” (Fuller, 205). This idea is incredible especially when looking at centuries ago and how only the elite were able to do such things and now this is being readily available for others. Even as an outsider, it is not hard to tell how crucial this place is for Hindus as they submerse themselves into the Ganges and drink the water that has been filled with ash from dead bodies. From oral tradition, it is said that the Ganges River is flowing through Shiva’s hair as she softens the impact as it touches the earth. This is why the water from the Ganges is holy for Hindus since it flows through Shiva’s hair. The idea of thirtha is an aspect of Hinduism that is important to fulfill by all Hindus. Fuller defines thirtha as: “a ford or crossing place, and many pilgrimage centers on riverside sites actually are crossing places” (Fuller, 207).  Fuller continues on describing that thirtha also is “ a reference to the fetid river Vaitarani, which flows between the earth and the underworld ruled by Yama, god of death.” He continues on describing:                                                   

 After death, people must cross Vaitarani with the help of a salvatory cow.  The ritual to accomplish this, which is part of the morturary sequence, is conducted at the side of a river, ideally the Ganges. By extension, the crossing after death is positively understood as liberation from rebirth (moksha), and this is the goal commonly proclaimed as attainable in pilgrimage centers, especially Benares and Gaya (Fuller, 207).

                                                                                                                                                                       The Ganges serves more so as a place for ascetics to come and renounce their lives as they continue into the fourth stage of Hinduism, which is known as Sannayasi. This can look different in the modern day, as groups of Hindus are more common to see rather than one Hindu making the journey alone. Many of those who are dying as well make their way to the Ganges as it can be seen as a fulfilling part as the soul leaves the body. Burning bodies are also common to see along the Ganges River as the ashes of those who have died are spread across the river as a proper burial. Death is seen as a fulfilling part of a lifetime as one can be reincarnated into something greater if enough good karma in a sense is accumulated to go into the next caste in a new life. The ultimate goal however is to be released from samsara through moksha; however, this is not thought to always happen, as it is believed that because of karma, one can continue to be reincarnated.

East meets West

The many, many examples of when East meets West.

Pigs

handstands

hello snake

my beautiful feet met mosquitoes

no safety regulations

rock chillin'

selfies with rock/bonding with the rock

laundry..at night..on a rooftop

INDIA V PAKISTAN PROOF since we could not take electronics due to bomb threats

Saree about it.

Our place on Google

Chapati and Peanut Butter

Christianity meets India meets Ken

Henna tattoos

India v. Pakistan

Nutella on everything

Even in India

 

flowers in da hair.

Enjoy. 

The Friesen Legacy

With Ken leaving in a little less than a week, I decided I would write about his family's legacy here. What brought Ken's parents back in the day (1950s) was to bring about change for India by establishing a hospital. The Mennonite population was slowly growing around Jadcherla, but this was more than just a call from God. Hospitals are needed in many places around the world, but Jadcherla is somewhere that was in dire need at the time. Basic infrastructure can bring about the greatest things not just to a community, but to society. Great changes and improvements came about after establishing this hospital. This hospital may not look like a lot in pictures to the average American, but this was/still is a huge deal. This hospital has not only brought jobs, but it has brought education as well and many more doctors have been trained because of it. Basic social services are something that are still in dire need not just in India, but in other places all around the world. Something to consider when traveling and seeing ways we can improve the world.
Ken told us as we explored his house that his parents came over to India after his father finished residency I believe, and his mother has just finished nursing school and clinics. Fresh out the gate and set up a hospital that still runs today. Incredible.

Walking to the hospital

1st ward!

Ken taking us around explaining everything

Other wards

:) kiddos

Nearby homes

This man has been here since Ken's parents were here. Needless to say, it was a happy, happy reunion

The man above owns this little tea shop

Ken's house

Ken's dad was a gymnast, which contributes to the awesome handstand pictures

A merry go round

A Muslim in a Sea of Hindu

Islam had its glory days in India during the Mughal Empire up until the late 19th century. The Mughal Empire created a foundation for Modern Day India as some are still present today. Religions toleration being one of them existed in India during this time, and was at its best during Akbar's reign from 1556-1605. Looking back on it, it is a big deal that Hindus and Muslims could live side by side under one empire. However, within this vast empire, princely states existed such as Hyderabad that was ran by the Nizams. The Nizams displayed an Islamic presence in Hyderabad until their dethroning in 1948. Hyderabad remained predominately Muslim, but those statistics have declined in recent years. There is noticeably more Hindus than Muslims in some parts, but the old world Islamic presence still remains. Places such as Golconda Fort, The Seven Tombs (Qutb Shahi Tombs), and the Mecca Masjid reflect and remind us how diverse this country was and continues to be.

Charminar is symbolically known as the middle of Hyderabad, a place for trade and exchange of ideas. 

Minerats, resembling those of a mosque.

The front of Mecca Masijid.

Prayer floor.

Prayer mats for outside

1/7

2/7

pre-handstand