Saro's House

Oh the homestay....something I was avoiding like the plague. But going to Karabakh, there was no avoiding it any longer. We arrived in the middle of the night, it was dark and rainy and muddy- with lots of dogs barking all around. Great, just what I was hoping for...

All in all, it wasn't really that bad. Kind of. The homestay family was really nice- Saro and his wife Hasmik (more pics of them later). They did everything to make us feel comfortable and welcome. We had the entire upper floor of their house to ourselves, and it was a huge property overall. Four girls in one big, cold, drafty house. It was an experience to say the least. Really the only bad part was the bathroom, which was to be expected. Needless to say, the four of us didn't shower for four days (there goes an entire bottle of perfume)...But hey at least the bathroom was indoors...

Saro and his family have an interesting story. He originally lived in Baku, but left in the late 80's just as the war started. He fought in the war, and was nursed back to health by his future wife, Dr. Hasmik. So Hemingwayesque right? After the war, they came back to Shushi and pretty much just took the house (like lots of other people- they claimed ownership by writing their names on the walls -"Saro now owns this house").  People in Karabakh have really lived very difficult and interesting lives. Saro's family started with nothing, the house was like an empty shell. But with hard work and dedication, they were able to remodel it and turn it into their home. Commendable. Listening to people talk about their lives really made me realize how easy we have it. I mean really, what is the most difficult thing I've had to go through lately?  Write a paper? Take a final? Choose a restaurant? 

It just gives you a different perspective. They really were very gracious and hospitable. Every morning, before going to work, Saro's wife would set out a big breakfast for us with cake and bread that she baked herself. The kitchen was my favorite part of the house, with its throne-like breakfast nook. We spent lots of time there, drinking tea, talking to Hasmik, gossiping amongst ourselves, commiserating over the lack of bathroom situation, and occasionally thinking to ourselves "Where the hell are we?"

It was an unforgettable experience...

(Images from top: The walkway to the house, our party room upstairs, Gabrielle and Natasha trying to do their makeup, the bridal bed, the cool breakfast nook, how many girls can you fit into a tiny kitchen, hanging out upstairs, stealing Saro's general hat, Ani and I trying to pose like a happy couple).