Armenia

Yesterday was Armenia day. Whether Armenia is part of Europe or Asia is up for debate. In fact, our book lists it in Asia, but Armenia is on our Europe place mat. For the most part, it was long considered Asia, but as their economy and politics begins to lean more European, they're more commonly getting placed on that continent. It doesn't really matter what continent you're on, since that's strictly a geographical classification. 

Armenia is a culturally rich country, deeply rooted in Christianity. In fact, they were the first nation every to adopt Christianity (it's still their state religion). Because of this, it's a country full of Cathedrals and Monasteries. Depending on your definition of a cathedral, the Etchmaidzin Cathedral in Armenia may very well be the world's oldest. 

That isn't the only world record they hold. In 2010, their 'Wings of Tatev' is the world's longest nonstop double track cable car. In true Armenian fashion, the cable car carries you up to the Tatev Monastary. 

Some other interesting facts the boys used for their postcards: 

The world's oldest leather shoe was found in an Armenian cave in 2010. It's estimated to be over 5,500 years old (and was preserved in sheep poop!) 

Armenia has their very own eternal flame, to honor those Armenians who died during WWI at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. 

Armenia is quite big in mythology. For dinner we had pomegranates, which is said to bring good fortune. (It's also said to bring fertility and at one time brides would smash a pomegranate to pieces, and the scattered seeds would ensure she would have children). 

We also had some Armenian rice pilaf; the Armenian bread, Lavosh; Armenian garden salad, and Khorovats or Armenian Kebabs. 

Armenia is one of the oldest wine producing nations in the world, so we had some sparkling grape juice as a nod. 

This meal earned 3 spoons up.

Nobody loved the bread. It was the most plain bread I've ever had in my whole life. (I know, you're thinking how is it possible for bread to be plain, bread is bread. But trust me!) We added some dipping oil to try and make it better, but there was no saving it. 

The salad was good, Calib listed it as his favorite thing on the plate, and Calib is always the one I'm nagging to eat his salad. Peyton was the only one who didn't care for it, and Peyton's usually the first one to finish his salad (it was opposite day, I guess!) 

So the three spoons came from Peyton, Calib and Asa. Rice is more their thing. I just thought the whole dish was really plain. Again, it wasn't bad, I just wouldn't want it again. Hayden actually gave it a spoon up, but he barely ate it. I told him for me to legitimately record a spoon up for him, he needs to eat at least half the meal. 

Since it's a tiny county (141st in area), Peyton was the only one confident enough in his coloring in skills to color in Armenia. 

 8 Down, 185 to go! 

Next Up: We're going a little out of order with Austria Day