The Joy of the Spirit
Another reflection on my trip to Armenia ...
Throughout my journey I was struck by the way the Armenian culture is not afraid to outwardly express its joy. At any moment groups will break into song or dance. Old people; young people; big groups and small. It is utterly amazing.
We have been welcomed into villages with presentations from children singing and dancing. Their young voices beautiful and clear.
At another point, the first day of our Habitat build, a group of monks who are helping at the work site began singing in the lunch tent. Here we were, eating our food and these amazing voices rang out through the tent, a song sang traditional only by Armenian men, praising our meal and camaraderie. It was a surreal moment to be surrounded by these beautiful voices.
Finally, there was the moment we were at dinner one night, at a restaurant over-looking the beautiful Lake Sevan. We were sitting next to a large group who were celebrating a birthday. It was wonderful - part way into the meal everyone at their table stood and danced. Then they turned to us and welcomed us to join in. Even more than welcomed - they urged us to join.
So there we were, our two disparate groups dancing to great Armenian music and celebrating together. Though they spoke no English and we spoke no Armenian, we were able to communicate with them through this outward expression of joy. It was a wonderful experience that we shared and one of my favorite moments on the trip.
Throughout my journey I was struck by the way the Armenian culture is not afraid to outwardly express its joy. At any moment groups will break into song or dance. Old people; young people; big groups and small. It is utterly amazing.
We have been welcomed into villages with presentations from children singing and dancing. Their young voices beautiful and clear.
At another point, the first day of our Habitat build, a group of monks who are helping at the work site began singing in the lunch tent. Here we were, eating our food and these amazing voices rang out through the tent, a song sang traditional only by Armenian men, praising our meal and camaraderie. It was a surreal moment to be surrounded by these beautiful voices.
Finally, there was the moment we were at dinner one night, at a restaurant over-looking the beautiful Lake Sevan. We were sitting next to a large group who were celebrating a birthday. It was wonderful - part way into the meal everyone at their table stood and danced. Then they turned to us and welcomed us to join in. Even more than welcomed - they urged us to join.
So there we were, our two disparate groups dancing to great Armenian music and celebrating together. Though they spoke no English and we spoke no Armenian, we were able to communicate with them through this outward expression of joy. It was a wonderful experience that we shared and one of my favorite moments on the trip.
posted by Becca Doten at
9:04 PM
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