Yesterday, we (the Armenian Assembly interns) met with a member of the National Parliament. A Republican, he sits on the side that controls the coalition. It seems that this coalition is surprisingly against the codes of democracy. Needless to say, I learned more from my fellow interns on the bus ride back to town than I did from said parliamentary member. Isn’t that just always the case?
Frustration about political ignorance, however, quickly took a back seat, replaced by two very impressive, very Armenian inventions: the Folk Dance and the Café glacé.
At the Opera house, we were granted entrance to the sold out show on the condition that we sat on the steps of the balcony seating. This I liked. In Armenia, it’s not about the fire hazard, the danger of the mezzanine collapsing like Yankee Stadium; it’s about making sure that the desire to take part in cultural activities is fulfilled no matter what. Anyway, when was the last time an Opera house set fire or collapsed? It’s not like anyone’s running around on opening night yabbering out loud about the “Scottish tragedy.” Well, at least I hope not. The dance was beautiful, joyous- and the audience fevered with excitement.
After the Opera, at a sidewalk café, we ordered café glacés. Big glasses of Armenian coffee topped off with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. This concoction is a dream to be savored like the last song of the night before the band packs up and heads home.
Ah, here comes the old woman who cleans the office, sweeps the street, serves us coffee and tells me about her redhaired daughter who once dyed her hair black.
From the ATDA office,
Samantha
p.s Dear Mom, I put sunblock on every morning.
Frustration about political ignorance, however, quickly took a back seat, replaced by two very impressive, very Armenian inventions: the Folk Dance and the Café glacé.
At the Opera house, we were granted entrance to the sold out show on the condition that we sat on the steps of the balcony seating. This I liked. In Armenia, it’s not about the fire hazard, the danger of the mezzanine collapsing like Yankee Stadium; it’s about making sure that the desire to take part in cultural activities is fulfilled no matter what. Anyway, when was the last time an Opera house set fire or collapsed? It’s not like anyone’s running around on opening night yabbering out loud about the “Scottish tragedy.” Well, at least I hope not. The dance was beautiful, joyous- and the audience fevered with excitement.
After the Opera, at a sidewalk café, we ordered café glacés. Big glasses of Armenian coffee topped off with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. This concoction is a dream to be savored like the last song of the night before the band packs up and heads home.
Ah, here comes the old woman who cleans the office, sweeps the street, serves us coffee and tells me about her redhaired daughter who once dyed her hair black.
From the ATDA office,
Samantha
p.s Dear Mom, I put sunblock on every morning.
5 comments:
Hahaha I love the random pop culture reference slipped into this entry- and by pop culture I mean literary/historical- but yeah it's all the same thing. Pop culture references make everything better!
Dear Sam, What a great idea--overtake Starbucks with a cafe glace and folkdancing for entertainment. Can see it now "Sam's shimmering Treats" franchises all over the country. Also a great lesson learned in how politics works. With love from East Haven. Dockie
I could use a cafe glace right now! What with free speech and fire laws dragging me down.
Anyway, glad the culture takes precedence, the streets get sweeped and redheads can make dangerous color choices.
Loving living through your words!
Mama
Any chance of an Armenian karioke session? I know you're just yearning for a stage presentation of Johnny One note.Your doing so much in one day.....time sure gets altered when your not watching the clock. Go clockless and keep on keeping on
Hi Sam,
Inch bes es? I love your blog- dancing, opera, lavash and politcal insights- sounds terrific!
ARen't you the lucky one, going out with our tribespeople! We're off to Vathilakos to visit the Greek tribe in August. Hope to have half the fun you're having!
Love,Peggy
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