Hi, I’m Eva Papian. I’m in the 9-6 grade at Mkhitar Sebastaci Educational Complex. I participated in military Arates trip with Anahit Melkonian, Nvard Sargsian and Robert Khachatrian. It was from October 19 to 21.

The trip was with my class, accompanied by some boys from Norgyukh and their P.E teacher, who came with us. We started the first day at 9am at Holy Trinity Church, went into the church, prayed for a good road and boarded buses, heading to Arates.

A few hours later we arrived in Arates. We chose rooms, rested a bit, and had a delicious meal. After lunch, we started doing military exercises. Thanks to Ynker Robert and Khachik, we learned some military vocabulary and how to walk like soldiers. And there were also sweet dogs who accompanied us the whole time. After military training, we were tired and cold, so we rested for a couple of hours, played different games with our classmates, listened to music, and met new people. That evening, we had a delicious dinner. Afterward, the boys built a fire, and we sat around it all evening discussing everything from simple and funny topics to deep conversations.

We drank tea there and treated the others to sweets. Afterward, nap time began. We were sent to bed. Of course, we didn’t. We laughed, danced, and wandered around our friends’ rooms until late at night. Eventually, with difficulty, we fell asleep.

The next day started at 7 in the morning. We helped in the kitchen, taking turns on duty. We also had walkie-talkies through, which we communicated with the P.E teachers. At 8 o’clock, our morning exercises in the fresh air began. It was a cool start to the day.

It was under Vardan’s direction, as you can see.

Next, we collected trash and managed to pick and try delicious Arates fruits.

Then, the rest began again. We played volleyball, football, Anun Gorotsi, Gortsnagorts, with the boys of our class for a long, really long time. We also played a couple of games with new friends from Norgyukh. We spent a lot of time in our classmates’ room, filming videos and having fun. During this trip, I got to know my classmates better and truly realized that they are fun to be with, and I want to spend more time with them.

Later, we began some very interesting military training. We reviewed what we’d learned and learned to shoot. It was exciting. I hit the target five times. My classmate Azat was a very good shot. We also learned first aid, and some even applied our new knowledge to each other, under the supervision of Ynker Robert.

After that, we decided to take some photos, and my friend Ani and I went down to look at the river, along with some other guys, the photos turned out very beautiful, especially my friends’. Then, rest. More music, games, dancing. It was already getting dark, and we were called to dinner. After dinner, another campfire. On the second day, more tea and sweets. We really stayed for a long time then, and the conversations with the teachers and the children were wonderful and even touching. It was interesting to get to know people’s personalities and opinions.

Then it got very late and we went to our rooms. I felt a little unwell that night, but that didn’t stop me from making good memories and enjoying my last night in the cold but beautiful mountainous Arates.

In the morning, again at 7. We missed exercise due to the bad weather. But we had a delicious meal and started packing. We cleared out all the trash from the rooms and the grounds and put everything on the bus. I also taught my friend Aida to play a couple of easy tunes on the piano.

A few hours later we left and stopped at the Church of St. Hakob.

Then we headed back to the school, keeping in our hearts the peace of Arates’ nature, the smiles of our friends, and the wonderful memories of three days.

These three days taught me a lot. Surviving in difficult circumstances, breaking my phone addiction by giving me something to do, was a wonderful refresher for my body and mind, and a very touching and memorable journey with my favorite class. I also miss those dogs. And we all liked Ynker Khachik very much. The way back was also fun. I’m happy with the trip and thank the people who organized it, the people who surrounded me, and God for a successful and safe journey there and back.

With love from Eva.