Hayastan am Bob Markarian Lawrence. In April and May of 2007 I journeyed back to Armenia (Hayastan in the Armenian language) to reconnect. My grandmother, great-aunt, great-uncle and great-grandmother were the only members of my immediate family to escape the gen

...and Apparently Nationally Known

USA | Thursday, 3 May 2007 | Views [6220] | Comments [6]

So I went to Echmiadzin today. This is the Holy See of the Armenian Orthodox Church. The head of the church is the Catholicos Karenkin II. This was about a 45 minute bus ride. I wish I'd taken a minibus because once they fill up, they go. The bus stops ... Read more >

Tags: Culture

Gallery: Day 5

ARMENIA | Thursday, 3 May 2007 | Photo Gallery

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I'm Now a Pro Duduk Player

ARMENIA | Wednesday, 2 May 2007 | Views [655] | Comments [3]

So today was very emotional for me but does have a funny conclusion. I went to Tsitsernakaberd (Fortress of the Swallows), the Armenian Genocide memorial. The biggest day of the year is April 24, Genocide Remembrance day. Thousands and thousands of ... Read more >

Tags: Culture

Gallery: First Four Days

ARMENIA | Wednesday, 2 May 2007 | Photo Gallery

Yerevan-Garni-Geghard-Tsitsernakaberd
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Day Three - YES!!!

ARMENIA | Tuesday, 1 May 2007 | Views [542] | Comments [6]

Today has been an incredible day. I decided to get out of the city and visit two very popular sites, Garni and Geghard. Garni is a pagan temple dating from about 1000 B.C. if I remember correctly. Maybe it's even older. It has been lovingly rebuilt. ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

First Day in Armenia

ARMENIA | Saturday, 28 Apr 2007 | Views [720] | Comments [11]

This has been overwhelming to say the least. I wasn't even going to be at a computer today, but I'm exhausted and I needed to get a telephone number for someone here in Yerevan. I got in about 2 a.m. from London. I traveled over two days and actually ... Read more >

Tags: Sightseeing

Genocide Remembrance Day

USA | Sunday, 22 Apr 2007 | Views [1353]

April 24 is genocide remembrance day for all Armenians and for the world. This is the date that the second and most terrible phase of the Armenian genocide began in 1915. An earlier genocide occurred in 1895-1896. This is a day of great sorrow for all ... Read more >

Tags: Culture

A Week to Go

USA | Monday, 16 Apr 2007 | Views [634] | Comments [3]

Bari Or, Actually a week and a half to go. I am very excited and at the same time, savoring my time before leaving. I know how much I'll miss Kristina, our children and grandchildren and friends. I had a wonderfully funny phone conversation with my ... Read more >

Tags: The Planning Phase

Gallery: Family

USA | Sunday, 15 Apr 2007 | Photo Gallery

Kristina, kids and grandkids
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The Armenian Language

USA | Wednesday, 11 Apr 2007 | Views [7517] | Comments [1]

The Armenian language ( Armenian : հայերեն լեզու , — hayeren lezu , conventional short form hayeren ) is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenian people in the Republic of Armenia , in Georgia ... Read more >

Tags: Language

8 Weeks to Departure

USA | Sunday, 4 Mar 2007 | Views [2222] | Comments [1]

I've been sick for a few days and that gives me a great chance to take care of all the details I want to get done for my trip. I will be gone for 3.5 weeks. My main focus is to get lessons on the duduk from world master, Gevorg Dabaghyan. He doesn't ... Read more >

Tags: The Planning Phase

The Duduk

USA | Sunday, 4 Mar 2007 | Views [1256]

Duduk The duduk ( pronounced [du-duk]) is a traditional woodwind instrument popular in the Caucasus region. It is of Armenian origins. This English word is often used generically for a family of ethnic instruments including ... Read more >

Tags: Culture