The train was delayed because the border control had taken so long. I had planned to walk, but I wanted to be on time for Hasmik, Matth, and Kai. So I at least listened to the taxi driver, who offered me a ride and would accept €, $, Rubel, and everything else. But when he was convinced that a ride to the center would be 10€, straight, I was convinced that I would walk, straight.
After a walk, a detour, and entering the wrong house, I finally met Hasmik again, met Kai (15 months), and Alice, the dog. Hasmik and I continued our conversation as if there hadn’t been a six-year hiatus.
And when Matth finally arrived, it was fun to see how our connection through Hasmik resulted in a shortcut to friendship
Hasmik had chosen a nice restaurant for dinner, and we chose some very good food there. I ended the meal with my worst dining disaster ever:
I was drinking something with a straw, and behind it was the last plate I was about to empty. I lifted the plate high enough to hold it over the glass, but not high enough for the straw. I had enough herbal lemonade left over to make quite a mess, so the tablecloth and the velvet upholstery of the bench got their share, and there was still more than enough left for my pants. I looked like an old man with an issue with a random liquid, and not even a sign saying “No, it’s just herbal lemonade!” could not have given me back as much dignity as I never thought I needed so urgently.
Even cleaning the seat didn’t work without leaving traces of my misfortune, and I had no plan B for how to leave the restaurant. One aspect of traveling and modern clothing was helpful now: you have the quick-drying fabrics of this outdoor clothing, which you also choose for adventures in the urban jungle. So, hidden behind Matth and hidden by the dark cloak of my first night in Yerevan of this year, I was able to head home with the others.
And even later was the night when we stopped solving all the problems and puzzles the world has to offer, knowing we could take care of the rest the next evening.