Making Concrete Thursday, July 19th By Mike Campisi
On Thursday, we were all refreshed and ready to work after having another travel
day. After passing buckets of stones (for both the porch and roof) and having the
enjoyment of plastering, we were now in for a treat as we were going to be creating
concrete to fill in the wrap-around porch.
After the ride in and our good mornings with the family, we were given our assignments as those who would shovel stones, fill the buckets with concrete, and
pass them along. It was a messy job, but we were able to get through it, and by the end, saw a good portion of the smooth new porch.
Of course, we stopped for some water breaks,another delicious lunch and some random fun (including another game of keep it up with the soccer ball.)
One of the highlights for many came when the cousin, Mkhur, was handing out "nick-
names" to a few individuals in English. He may not have known what he was saying, but did his best to make it as clear as possible. Mkhur also joined in the line to pass the concrete and showed great enthusiasm as he stated "bucket" when it was time to pass it along, as well as "let's go!" and "incoming!" Common phrases being said by the individuals from Fuller Center.
One of my not so highlights (just kidding)...after the idea was thrown around to do sixteen sets of sixteen pushups for David's sixteenth birthday, Tony actually did them and I felt it necessary to also do them. The grandfather, Samwell, noticed
this and dropped down to knockout a few one handed pushups. Then, before revealing to me that he was trained in the Russian military, demonstrated some self-defense techniques, not for me, but on me. I could have gone without that!
At night, we gathered in the lobby and started our long journy to Liban (a Lebanese restaurant) for dinner. We had some items that we have had before (including French Fries) and were treated to a main course that was a meat in a sour cherry sauce (that is the technical term!). A few of us shared a bottle of Sicilian wine (which is always the best...sorry, the Sicilian in me.) At this dinner, we found out why we were given mineral water instead of plain bottled water at many restaurants (the restaurants feel that foreigners would like to try something new) and, while at the restaurant, we were watching some local Armenian television, before being interuppted by MTV and Eminem when the waiter thought we would prefer American TV. It was changed back shortly at our request.
When dinner was over, a few people went back to the hotel while others continued to
explore the city of Yeravan by visiting a gift shop and getting ice cream.
I myself, as well as Matt headed back out a little bit later on. I did hear that an
awesome "internet club" had openned on the fourth floor of the Shirak hotel.
Another productive, fun day in Armenia!
On Thursday, we were all refreshed and ready to work after having another travel
day. After passing buckets of stones (for both the porch and roof) and having the
enjoyment of plastering, we were now in for a treat as we were going to be creating
concrete to fill in the wrap-around porch.
After the ride in and our good mornings with the family, we were given our assignments as those who would shovel stones, fill the buckets with concrete, and pass them along. It was a messy job, but we were able to get through it, and by the end, saw a good portion of the smooth new porch.
Of course, we stopped for some water breaks,another delicious lunch and some random fun (including another game of keep it up with the soccer ball.)
One of the highlights for many came when the cousin, Mkhur, was handing out "nick-
 |
| Mkhur, the very enthusiastic cousin! |
One of my not so highlights (just kidding)...after the idea was thrown around to do sixteen sets of sixteen pushups for David's sixteenth birthday, Tony actually did them and I felt it necessary to also do them. The grandfather, Samwell, noticed
this and dropped down to knockout a few one handed pushups. Then, before revealing to me that he was trained in the Russian military, demonstrated some self-defense techniques, not for me, but on me. I could have gone without that!
 |
| David held the bucket for less than a minute. Papik Samvell help it for more like 7 minutes! |
At night, we gathered in the lobby and started our long journy to Liban (a Lebanese restaurant) for dinner. We had some items that we have had before (including French Fries) and were treated to a main course that was a meat in a sour cherry sauce (that is the technical term!). A few of us shared a bottle of Sicilian wine (which is always the best...sorry, the Sicilian in me.) At this dinner, we found out why we were given mineral water instead of plain bottled water at many restaurants (the restaurants feel that foreigners would like to try something new) and, while at the restaurant, we were watching some local Armenian television, before being interuppted by MTV and Eminem when the waiter thought we would prefer American TV. It was changed back shortly at our request.
 |
| After ice cream, Natalie and Hannah took advantage of the kiddie room. |
explore the city of Yeravan by visiting a gift shop and getting ice cream.
I myself, as well as Matt headed back out a little bit later on. I did hear that an
awesome "internet club" had openned on the fourth floor of the Shirak hotel.
Another productive, fun day in Armenia!
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