In other words...Happy New Year!
I spent my New Year's Eve at home up until about 1:30am. Then I headed to our building to celebrate with friends. I only stayed a couple of hours, but the real party folks stayed until about 6 I think. I spent New Year's Day sleeping and doing absolutely nothing!
Yesterday I started in on the New Years visitation rounds. In this culture, you don't just celebrate on the 31st and 1st....the party can last up until the 13th--"old New Year". So, yesterday I made it to 3 houses. One of them was an English student's home. After visits, I went to Republic Square with friends to check out the lights and decorations.
There were a few things that stood out to me:
1. There was not 1 Santa Claus (aka Dzmer Papik)....there were probably 20 if not more!
2. Here, Dzmer Papik does not have an old wife (Mrs. Claus), he has a side kick--Dzyun Anush-- who looks more like a young hot girlfriend.
3. You know those little "rides" you see when you enter and exit Walmart? The ones where the child just sits on the horse, airplane, or whatever and it rocks back and forth? Well, there were probably 50 or more of those lined up in rows.
4. Again, you know those games you see when you enter and exit Walmart? The ones were your guiding the crane to pick up stuffed animals? There were an innumerable amount of those lined up, too. Most of them had the traditional stuffed animal theme, but I did notice a cigarette one.
5. Everyone was out to make money! From the Santa Claus/niece combos who were set up to take pictures with you for a price to the Santa Claus(es) who would hand you a balloon and then ask you to pay. There were also carriage rides and pony rides around the square for a price.
6. From what I've heard, this year they went all out for lights and decor. Usually the square just has a tree in the middle. It was pretty decorated (for here) and my good friend, who is 20 years old, was over the top excited. I was excited for her!
Ok, so despite my cynicism, it was a really good time.
New Year's celebrating is under way!
1 comment:
I'm surprised about the rides, crane games, and many Santas. I guess I thought the people were too poor to have money for that. I suppose there isn't a nativity scene anywhere. I don't feel so bad now about wanting to keep my Christmas tree up longer than most people.. it's still Christmas time in Armenia.
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