A lot has changed since the last time I wrote a travelogue. I am now back in Montreal and looking upon Armenia as an experience from the past. Nevertheless, it is the single most influential experience I have yet to encounter in my life and will stay with me for the rest of my life. It is not an easy task to point out a single experience from a three and a half long journey in the motherland. There are many inspiring moments I still remember vividly.

Personally, Armenia was an awakening. It was very intense and emotional. My perception of Armenia changed with my experience. I now consider it my “home” and the term “homeland” takes on a stronger, more meaningful connotation. Armenia is the home of all Armenians, although it might sound like a simple declaration, it implies so much. I look back and see Armenia as a house, a simple yet traditional house. When you walk in, you realize it is a bit dusty, some windows are old or broken, some parts of the house need renovation, but despite of all these details, it remains your home. Something you can not replace. I loved my home, I enjoyed walking through the streets of Yerevan, looking at my people and feeling pride. Pride for having a homeland for Armenians!

The last month in Armenia was definitely special. The weather got colder, there were less foreigners or tourists around the city and it allowed me to get a better understanding of the life in Yerevan. I got to see many interesting places during my journey, met amazing individuals and understood what having a land, a state, a country implies. Armenia is not about a few people, a couple of touristy destinations, or a land on such a mountainous terrain. It is the symbol of centuries of hardship, it is what our ancestors dreamed and fought for, it is the home of eight million Armenians worldwide and it is what makes us as a people stronger and united.

I walked in the streets of Armenia with great pride. I believe in my people and I know Armenia will prosper and be a strong state. As a people, we have survived too many hardships and we still laugh and really know how to enjoy life. That is what reassures me, the hope and the belief of one day having the Armenia I envision.

These thoughts would go through my head as I inhaled the Armenian air. Looking back on all the great memories, I would like to point out one significant moment. It was during my first week in Armenia, the Armenia-Diaspora Conference, where the Foreign Minister of Armenia gave a great closing speech. It was realistic, positive, proud, strong, and ambitious. It portrayed the characteristics I attach to Armenians. Raffi Keuhnelian (Canada)