Sometimes, stepping out of what's traditional can be life changing. Stepping out of your comfort zone doesn't really have to be as drastic as traveling to the country from where your roots come from, but I love a good challenge, and what better challenge than traveling alone with a group of strangers, strangers who share nothing but heritage with you, to the land from where your ancestors, past and roots come from. In my case, this land is called Armenia, the first christian territory in the world. Home of one of the worst genocides ever held in the history of the world. A land rich in culture and tradition. A land I can be proud to call my home. This was my trip to Armenia, a country I'd visit again without a doubt.
Armenian Genocide Memorial
The first place we visited was the Armenian Genocide Memorial. Here in Caracas, where I live, theres a smaller version of this monument, but what I felt when I visited the original one, and crossed those concrete semi-inclined columns, I felt something I had never felt before. Those Armenians who fought during the war are the ones I must eternally thank, because thanks to them I am alive now. The unique architecture of this memorial truly makes the whole experience. Breathtaking from beginning to end, visiting the AGM is a must when visiting Armenia. Also, don't forget to leave a white flower around the never ending fire to commemorate the fallen.
As mentioned before, Armenia is a country rich in culture. Part of my trip was visiting the "Hyortatz Dun", or House of Craft. We were given the opportunity to paint over silk and crave mosaics on wood, one of the many traditions in Armenia. Also, we were taught several Armenian songs, such as "Arabo", a song sang by the soldiers during the war, and "Hey Varj", a traditional duet sang in weddings. One of my favorite parts of this experience was the table in which we worked on to crave the wood. Working on top of a large wood plank and seeing how jagged, wasted, and used it was made me think of all the other people who have worked in this table, and the endless masterpieces these have probably had made, and it moves me to think that I am now part of the history of the mentioned table.
Besides from the exploring and learning, connecting with people who share my same roots was also a crucial component of this voyage. Making friends from all around the globe, from all ages and nationalities, but friends who share the same heritage as I do, is a privilege i'll always be thankful for. Connecting with these people made me reinforce my connection with my roots, and it was truly a blessing to be able to create never ending bonds, to be able to create a family in which we all come from the same beginnings.
Armenia and this trip have definitely helped me realize who I am in terms of nationality. I was born and raised and currently living in Caracas, and I am Venezuelan because I was born here. And as much as I love my home country and as much as I feel identified as a Venezuelan, I'm as Armenian as I am Venezuelan, and this voyage was a small reminder of this fact. If you haven't met the country from where your past comes from, visit it now. There is nothing to lose, in fact, when you return home you'll feel like you've earned. And you'll earn, earn a lot. You'll earn knowledge, heritage, and you'll most importantly earn love and respect from where you truly come from. Either it is Armenia or any other country in the world, never forget form where you come from, and always maintain a connection with that place, because that place will always be a place you can call "home".
