Notes from the Armenian-Language Blogosphere
Christina at Local Life in Armenia shares a little story which she was able to record on Saturday while waiting for the minibus to take her to Vanadzor.
If you have ever taken a minibus from one marz of Armenia to another, this will be a common story to you. Otherwise I assure you this will be interesting.
We were waiting for enough people to gather for the minibus to move. Suddenly I heard a voice.
“Anybody of you is Kirovakanci*?” I raised my head to see a 70 year old man.
“I am,” I said, “how can I help you?”
“I want to send some money, 30 manet**. Can you take it?”
I tell him of course I can. The old man gives me 30.000 dram, asking to put down the phone numbers I need to call to transfer the money. I write down the phone numbers, and when I’m finished, the grandpa says his thanks and starts to get off the mini-bus. I ask him if he wants me to give him my phone number. “Bala jan, you can call yourself, can’t you?” asks the grandpa.
What more can I say? Is there a greater happiness than belief and trust towards another person? Many of us are inclined to suspiciousness as a self-defense against pain and disappointment, but is it worth it?
From my experience generally speaking people outside Yerevan are somewhat naпve and pure, just like folks outside any big city, I suppose. They are also much more friendly, hospitable and willing to answer your survey questions. Not that they are less busy, rather the opposite. It seems to me they just want to speak their mind, again naively believing a government will heed to their voice.
The full post in Armenian can be read here.
* Kirovakanci - from Kirovakan (the Soviet name for Vanadzor)
** manet - монета from Russian word for coin
