Fiction, Essays, and Other Things

  Scotland has become so synonymous with its history, its customs and vistas that the real place has become inseparable from its ballads and legends. Few people have seen their traditions become popculture tropes as have the Scots. I would state that it had been on my radar to visit for as long as I can remember but I feel that is true of so many others that the point is hardly worth expanding. Nonetheless, I managed to visit Cuba before I made it to Scotland and I did not make it to the land of castles and highlands until some years after my 40 th birthday.   Like many first time visitors I brought with me the images of what I expected Scotland to be and the anticipation for the reality that awaited. Well, the reality was a slight mishap upon my arrival in Edinburgh that could have created an inconvenience for my first night but ultimately proved a testament to the kindness and hospitality of the Scots. Before departing I booked a car through a rental company called Eu...

  August 31 was my last full day in Armenia and my time was devoted to my host city of Yerevan. Throughout my stay, I had gotten to know Yerevan quite well, its pulse and rhythm and its many charms. The pink glow of the vibrant Republic Square greeted me each night back to the hotel after a journey to the county’s mountains. Within its ancient walls I discovered many bookshops, arts and crafts galleries as well as authentic Armenian cuisine and a sampling of Armenia’s version of international cuisine through a Mexican restaurant (Los Pueblos) and an Italian eatery (Limone). Before I left, however, I felt I ought to visit Aram Khachaturian Museum before the highlight of the day, the Genocide Memorial. Museums are often on my “maybe” list when I visit places as I prioritize absorbing myself in the daily life of the citizens but I had grown rather fond of Republic Square and after days visiting ancient sites I was ready for a stroll through galleries.         ...