Morning commuters

It's been cold and gray out for the past few weeks, conditions which haven't really inspired me to take a ton of photos. But, today, I was walking into work and saw our neighbor Harutyun taking his sheep out to the open land beyond down. As I was walking up on this shepherd and his flock, it struck me that I might have become a little bit blind to the things here which are worthy of photographing. Walking to work along a dirt road past sheep is pretty much exactly what I was hoping to experience when I applied to the Peace Corps, and here I was right in the middle of that experience, thinking that I didn't really have anything to photograph here these days. Anyway. Here are the morning commuters with whom I share the road. 

Zorats Qarer Again

I know, I know, sometimes it seems like all I ever post is pictures of Zorats Qarer- but what can I say? I just love visiting the old standing stones. They're the perfect distance from our house for a convenient afternoon hike, and getting out of town and walking through empty fields gives me a sense of inner serenity that I just can't find when I'm surrounded by people and cars. So, here we have again: Zorats Qarer.

Funeral Flowers

One of our neighbors died this week. They held the wake at the family's house today. Afterwards, the street was strewn with white carnations. They stood out in stark contrast to the dark browns and grays of the rocky street, mirroring the white-gray sky.

Honey comb

Okay, I know that I've discussed the amazing substance that is Armenian honey on this blog before now, but I need to introduce you to something even more amazing: Armenian honeycomb honey.

Seriously, this stuff has changed my life. I played around with the idea of keeping bees in the past, but I think there's no way that I won't have at least one or two hives in my future now. 

GenEq Sesh in English Club

For the last few weeks, our Advanced English Club has been watching I Am Malala. I really love watching these young women discuss the ways in which Malala has taken control of her life through education, and the similarities and differences they see between Malala's life and their own. 

Spring Is Coming

Dogs in Down

It's hard to work with the dogs when the weather's so cold out. We only allow them into the front hallway of the house, and space is a little tight in there. But we spent some time working on training them in basic obedience commands today. Here there demonstrating that, contrary to what you might guess upon meeting them, they *are* capable of laying down and not bothering any body at least 1 minute at a time.