A “better” environment for kids
A “better” environment for kids
The first time in the southern part of the planet. Now I understand what D. meant when he said he agrees that Armenia doesn’t belong to the “Latino belt” countries. Now I understand the derogatory sense behind calling a country “European.”
F. said he’d want his kids to grow up somewhere like Spain — not because he thinks it’s a “better” environment, but because he wants them to learn to relate differently to people. There are, of course, much “better” places for children to grow up, but what he meant was that he wants them to see there’s more to life than work and money — to value and sustain human bonds, to simply be kind.
That’s something Yerevan has lost. It used to be different; now it’s becoming “European” in the worst sense, more about buying and selling than connection.
In Buenos Aires, I saw how people interact everywhere. They notice each other. Ignoring someone or staying “neutral” feels rude. I noticed how “European” I’ve become: rude, distant, afraid. I saw myself, someone still trying to escape but who has built a prettier shell, a better justification for wanting to run away. It all seems fine as long as we don’t look too deeply or touch what hurts.
Again, I avoid what hurts. I sweep painful truths under the rug. I close my eyes. What I don’t see doesn’t exist.
And yet, relating to people was once the reason I learned languages, the reason I hosted travelers, the reason I traveled myself.