HRI 2018 - Day 4

Contributor: Arsine Kolanjian

To wake and sleep in the arms of nature has been one of the many gifts Shvanidzor has to offer. The morning sun shimmers through the pomegranate trees 
followed by nature’s own alarm clock system. Each day begins this way coupled by delicious Armenian breakfast. The sweet giggles and laughter of children can be heard in the distance, immediately bringing about a smile on each of our faces. We begin camp with some uplifting music before entering the classrooms. In the photography and journalism class, we were able to teach the students how to take pictures, although they all seemed naturally talented in the field. The images they captured, innocently, appeared so beautiful and expressed so much. It was another method of communication, it seemed, as they did so with such pleasure and pure interest and curiosity. The evening was in near sight but the children’s energy remained full to the brim.  We all enjoyed a game of volleyball, Gordz-na-Gordz, soccer, Twister, and many more. At one corner, the girls were engaging in a fun arts and crafts activity and in the next everyone was dancing and singing to various kinds of music ranging from Armenian to American to Latin. It was one of the highlights and continues to be with each passing day. Wednesday’s special cultural activity consisted of milking a cow! For many of us, milking cows was a mystery and we all wanted to give it a try. The combination of excitement, fear, and anticipation made the experience amazing and truly refreshing, as it was nowhere near what the average person would experience in L.A. The day ended with a sky full of stars, a luminous moon, and memories we will forever keep close to our hearts. Հաջողութիւն մինչ նորհանդիպում :)
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