One of the first things that caught my attention in this beautiful, fairy tale-like city was that people had a sense of community and collectivity. From my personal experiences in Turkey, this is something very distanced from us. There is not one single thing that we agree upon and share the mutual feelings towards in Turkey.
Every other topic is a subject for argument and discussion. Coming here, I saw a sense of unity that united the whole nation. It was not only a part of their personalities to engage with this collective sense but also it is also a part of their art in terms of poetry, literature, music, architecture, and paintings. Despite the current political disagreements around the country, most families share similar background stories and stories with great consciousness they own it and this is what unites them. In Turkey, most families have different stories, different backgrounds however; it does not matter since we have been suffering socially and economically for years now. It really strikes me how we fail to unite as a nation while on the other side of Ararat, Armenians could look through each other’s differences and be together in times of hardship. There is many things to learn from Armenia in that matter.

I will end this blog with a poem from Hovhannes Shiraz, a famous Armenian poet:
In my dreams my door was knocked at,
“Who is it?” I asked from inside.
Some elderly lady from the outside
Answered and said, “I’d sacrifice myself for you.”

“I’ve come to ask for a piece of bread as charity
I’m a poor orphan woman with no one to support me.”
At this point I opened my door immediately,
Only to find a miracle; it was my deceased mother indeed!

I was shocked but fell into her arms;
And my mother said, “It’s me, it’s me,
I’ve come to try you and to check on you.
I hope life hasn’t changed your spirit and also you?!”