Off to Camp...

Good Morning all! All is grande!

We are up bright and early and have just enjoyed our jam, bread & CHEESE breakfast at Envoy!! Hmmm loving the Armenian cheese! We are all packed and excited as today we are off to CAMP! yay!! More about that later though as we will fill you in on the busy day we had yesterday, no rest for the wicked!

We had a meeting yesterday at noon with the Commissioners of NUGGGS (National Union of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, of Armenia) at their office; Amalya, Aya, Tatevik, Lilit and Satenik.  To get there we had to take two taxi's and our route reminded Caroline of Grand theft Auto - plus we are yet to ride in a taxi with an intact, non damaged windscreen - all the cool taxi men of Armenia have at least a 4 inch crack in their windscreen!! Score!

Once at the office we discussed the plans for the project, camp arrangements and the traveling /accommodation for the Activity Days in the north of the Country post Camp.  A few amendments were made yet all happy with the project as it means we are spending a few more nights in the northern regions and not so many in Yerevan. The four regions that we will be visiting are all situated along Lake Sevan, so it will be a beautiful backdrop to our trainings! We then sorted all our resources for Camp - job done!! So we left the ladies to their meeting and headed back to Envoy for lunch.

We then took a walk to the market in the afternoon sun - Caroline had been reading her travel book and was desperate to explore the olde market.  We saw everything from the contents of old Armenian men's garages to the beautiful craft works of traditional Armenia to the lovely bright orange, blue and red t-shirt declaring 'I heart Armenia' - tempting!  We were also accompanied by one of the Armenian Guiders, Lilit - or media Lilit as she is better known to us - and she became quite the David Dickenson, minus the fake tan, similar hair, and haggled our prices down for us!  And after some retail therapy and a much need cool drink in the shade - small rest from working on the tan :) - we headed to the cascade.  It is a focal point in Armenia and overlooks the entire city so naturally i made the team race to the top... the didnt like me at the top!  However, the views of Yerevan are worth the climb to the top - on a clear, bright day you can get the most stunning views of Mount Ararat - another time maybe! Or an evening view? The team are not quite keen on my 6am sunrise idea but i will keep working on them!  

We had more than earned our dinner after the climb so the team plus Lilit headed to Jazzve, a cafe restaurant beside the concert square in Yerevan where we all a hearty meal plus a few cheeky desserts for some! Exhausted yet still keen to see Yerevan life before we head to Southern Armenia we headed to the fountains!

The fountains are in Republic Square in the Centre of Yerevan and is a social meeting space for most.  There you can watch the most elaborate fountains that are all coloured and and choreographed along to music! Kelly was so keen to get good pictures she nearly fell in - opps - just a sore knee to content with yet all is grande!  Then at 11 pm after a busy day we said goodbye to Lilit and headed back to Envoy for some well deserved kip! 

Well that was the intention - we were all rather excited and eager for camp so started packing! Late night early mornings - welcome to GOLD!

So we are now about to check out of Envoy and head to the Office and go to Camp - WHAY! - Armenian Styleeeeee! We have a 5 hour - ish bus journey ahead of us and will be at Camp in the town of Sisian until next Monday so it will be all silent on the blog front as we will not have any internet! But dont worry we shall fill you in on all the goings on, on our return on Monday  1st August.

We all all having a ball - all safe and well and cannot wait to officially start our trainings and GOLD Adventure at Camp! 

Woop woop!

Cara & Team 2011 xx

We have arrived!!!

Woooo! We have arrived at Envoy Hostel and ready to go.

After, many experiences at the Airports our 24hour journey was complete. Thanks to Kelly's Dad, we got to Gatwick in a minibus and in plenty of time. Check in was interesting to say the least, we very nearly had to fork out 500 euros for our resources bag - despite already purchasing extra baggage - but thanks to Cara standing her ground we got the weight cost for free! Cara had a scare when Marie handed over an empty passport cover, and berol pens were carried in everyone's pocket, which finishes the check in experience.

After the first flight that was hot and sticky to Riga, we had the 6 hour wait in Riga airport. Not much at Riga airport, which made the 6 hours drag on. However, a great time to get to know the team! We placed ourselves firmly in the comfy seats at Coffee Nation, and talked the hours away. After some help from the aesthetically pleasing gentleman in the transfer lounge we got to our second flight. After three and half hours later we arrived to a welcome party at Yerevan airport. Bundled into a taxi and Lilit's Dad's Car, we made our way to Envoy Hostel. 

We decided to have rest until 12pm, however we all over slept until 2, so now it is time to explore the capital! 

Talk soon,

Team Armenia 2011 x   

The Final Countdown!!!

Right, it's the night before we leave and we're all at Kelly's house in Reading. Have been eating our body weight in pizza, getting on with last minute re-packing, sorting out training folders and cramming about a million maoam bars and felt-tip pens into every last available inch of space.

Most of us are pretty tired after a busy few weeks but getting VERY excited about the morning. In 15 hours we'll be in the air and on our way!

We'd all just like to say thank you again to everybody who has supported us over the last 10 months. We're all so grateful and can't wait to share our adventures with you when we get back.

Will update the blog as soon as we can with news of our arrival and first few days - wish us luck!

Amy, Cara, Caroline, Jade, Kelly and Marie xxx

2 weeks left until we fly out to Armenia!!!

Hasn't time gone quickly? it only seems like yesterday when we all found out we were selected and now it is only two weeks away! we all are very excited - the new opportunities, meeting new people and experience Armenia and the culture. 

Well, a lot have happened since we last posted. We have has out third and final briefing at Cara's humble abode, down in sunny London, where we session planned, discussed matters in hand, got our passports with the lovely Armenian Visa inside. We also visited Chq, then Battersea Park to practice our tent pitching skills. As well as taking many photos of us in our beautiful uniform.

We have also had two phone conferences since 3rd briefing, one very long for Team Armenia and one short a sweet. 

Anyway, back to the matter in hand - it is only two weeks to go! Woooo!

Packing has begun, even re-packing has started! Plans are prepared, resources brought, folders made, photos printed, and much more. We really hour just counting down the days.

remember to keep checking out the blog over the next month as we will be updating it as much as we can - with new, events and our GOLD journey.

We will like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us in someone. Also a big thanks to the GOLD team, who have helped sort out Visas, baggage issues with the airline and just been there when we have all had a question to ask.

Without everyone, we wouldn't be here. So thank you!

Team Armenia 2011

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