Light in the Wall
Armenia is a small country in the South Caucuses mountains, with incredibly food like tolma and lavash, beautiful monasteries like this one, and some of the friendliest people in the world. I took this picture after about two months in the country.
I am an incredibly shy language learner, and embarrass easy. Nearby, a group of Armenian tried to take a selfie together, and I watched shy, working up the courage to try my fumbling new language.
“I can take picture for you?” I offered, mixing up words and missing articles. Their faces lit up.
“You are American?” One of the women asked me.
“Yes,” I said, still nervous.
“But you speak so well!” She grinned, the group all smiling as I took their picture.
“Thank you!” The women all chimed.
“Kntrem,” I replied, blushing.
That first time you communicate successfully in a foreign language is such a mile stone for language learning. This time last year, I was still deep in my Armenian language study, learning more and more complicated words and grammar structures. Now, I can feel myself forgetting a little more every day, and that’s a little devastating.
I hope to go back to Armenia, but in the meantime I thought I would share this little slice of a beautiful country and culture with you.
100% of profits from this photo will be donated to mutual aid funds for Armenia and Artsakh.
