Things Abandoned

It’s a curious thing living in a country that has had such a tumultuous history. One only has to look around to get a sense of the past. The dilapidated buildings, half-standing houses, dried up pools, abandoned factories, bookshelves full of dusty forgotten books, stores in disrepair, vehicles left where they took their last breath, broken windows, walls in need of some paint, and schools that are only half in use offer a poignant reminder of the uncertainty of life. As I sit on the painstakingly stuffy and often times slow public transportation the past jumps out at me demanding to be heard. As an outsider from a wealthy country my eyes aren’t drawn to the Mercedes’, Range Rovers, BMW’s, flashy clothes, sparkly jewelry, or big sunglasses that have found their way onto the streets of my village. Rather it’s the striking contrast of the wealth of a tiny minority and the want of the vast majority that turns my head. It’s the remnants of a life once lived along side of the one being lived; It’s the whisperings of the past that catch my attention. With all that time on the bus trying to keep my stomach calm my mind, in search of a distraction, finds its way to visions families swimming in the hot summer sun, strong standing homes with the dinner table full of good food and guests, buildings being used for their intended purpose, factories with puffing smoke stacks and men hard at work, the beauty of the Armenian language being explored with the turn of a page, and cars hurrying to an unknown destination. Its not hard to look around and imagine how at one time everything was new. Its not the wornness that leaves me with a feeling of sadness, it’s the abandonment. Wornness speaks of life being lived, its the abandonment that speaks of a story no longer present. Just that. A History, but one that regardless of its graces and falls amalgamates its people. As the bus rambles on and life swirls around, things abandoned paint a picture of a life once lived and pay testimony to the uncertainties of life and its never ending potential. For anyone looking to uncover the mysteries of the Armenian people, taking a look around as the bus rolls on is a good place to start.