This summer, when I was staying in Tbilisi, I took a day trip to Armenia.  It was a lovely day, and it felt special to see a country I’d only heard about from Armenian expats.  These people, who love their homeland so passionately, spoke so highly of Armenia, that I felt compelled to visit.

One moment of the trip that particularly sticks out is an interaction with an elderly woman who was selling handmade rag dolls dressed in traditional Armenian clothing.

First, the woman tried speaking Armenian with me, and when I indicated I didn’t understand, she tried Russian.  Then, I tried English and my very remedial Georgian, but neither worked.  I also tried German, to no avail.  Then, much to my surprise, she asked if I spoke Spanish.  We were both surprised and thrilled to finally find a language we both understood and with which we could communicate.  We talked about God and about Armenia and about America.  When it came time for me to leave, she asked me to buy one of her handmade dolls–she didn’t try to sell me one, she simply, and with dignity, asked if I would please buy one.  I chose an Armenian doll, paid the full asking price, kissed her on both cheeks, and said goodbye.

If you’re ever in the vicinity, consider a visit to a lovely country populated with kind people.  And please enjoy these photos of the Armenia countryside…

pigs in the church yard…

pigs in the church yard

soviet factory…

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