InternationalARS Mediterranean Cruise was a memorable experience
Published: Saturday September 20, 2008
Whether it's the "wave" of the future or not, the ARS Mediterranean Cruise provided a delightful experience in more ways than one Aug. 15-27.
For openers, 352 Armenians representing 14 states and a host of countries sailed the Hye seas. Of the lot, 111 emerged from the West Coast and 64 from Canada. They also came from Argentina, Australia, England, Greece, Argentina, Lebanon, Switzerland, Cyprus, and Egypt.
The passenger list resembled a league of nations, with Armenian the predominant language. It was easy recognizing the Armenians aboard the cruise ship Celebrity Summit. They were the ones toting their tricolor bags, singing their songs, and exercising the language.
"We're very happy with the turnout," said organizer Shakeh Basmajian, who was joined in the forefront by Mayda Melkonian and Tamar Der Bedrosian, members of the ARS Central Executive Body.
"People met friends they hadn't seen in years. Everybody bonded well, regardless of where they came from," Ms. Basmajian added.
Ms. Basmajian, a Detroit resident, met a high school chum from Lebanon she hadn't seen in 44 years. She was reunited with Sirvart Boniaboghanian and the two caught up on lost time.
The same could be said for sisters Sona Derovakimian (Michigan) and Angele Panikian (Canada). The two were part of an excursion to St. Asdvazazin Church in Nice, France, where they encountered a cousin they hadn't seen in 48 years.
Christine Papazian met her two cousins by a khatchkar praying and went into an emotional greeting. Hourig Antabian (San Francisco) met family members from Argentina.
Others like Sarkis and Mary Garibian of Wilbraham, Mass., couldn't think of a better way to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. The two have long been stalwarts in the Springfield community.
"When Armenians come together in such an arena, it revitalizes our heritage," Mr. Garibian said. "The friendships we've made on this trip will last forever. We commend the ARS for serving its population over these past 98 years and join others in looking forward to the centennial in 2010."
The junket was actually a precursor to the milestone anniversary in which commemorations will take place throughout the world. Of the 352 Armenian tourists, 150 represented the Armenian Relief Society in their respective countries.
Mekhitarist Monastery
The ARS organized its own itinerary apart from the cruise. Three excursions took place to Armenian churches in Nice and Athens, along with a visit to the Mekhitarist Monastery on the island of San Lazarus in Venice. There, the group toured the expansive library and admired the luscious landscaping. The Armenian Catholic fathers were most gracious in their role as hosts and emissaries.
Four dances provided ample entertainment, thanks to Sam Alajajian and his Ararat Ensemble from Detroit. People danced the night away and joined in a concert of revolutionary songs.
An ARS centennial celebration brought forth anniversary couples and resulted in a number of monetary gifts for the organization. A large cake and complimentary champagne marked the proceedings. And the band played on, resulting in a missed dinner in the dining hall. Nobody really cared. What was another meal compared to exercising some Armenian energy?
Canadian-Armenian folk dancer Lori Najarian regaled the crowd with her fine choreography in full costume.
There were Armenian happy hours and a number of encounters to the hospitality desk to keep Armenians abreast of activity.
Inside the dining hall, Armenians were seated together, not dispersed, and strangers mingled together at the same table. At ours, we dined with two couples from Massachusetts and another from California.
One might instantly think this might conflict with the Armenian Heritage Cruise which takes place annually aboard the Costa cruise lines. Not so.
"We plan to go every other year and it's two different destinations," said Ms. Melkonian. "This won't interfere with the Heritage cruise in any way. Armenians love to travel. This gives them another option."
Many checked off Alaska as their next destination. An itinerary may be formed in 2010 but due to the centennial celebrations throughout, this may be moved up to the following year. Stay tuned.
Shedding tears of joy
Flora (Ounanian) Guiragossian of Montreal sat next to Marie (Bedrosian) Najarian of Providence at the dinner table.
"Come to find out, we went to the Sophia Hagopian College in Lebanon together," said Ms. Najarian. "We relived our childhood and shed tears of happiness. We both have families now. This will give me every reason to visit Flora in Montreal."
Okay, so the weather was incurably hot, the cost expensive but negligible, and the crowds overwhelming at times. But when all was said and done, the cruise offered its own unique ambiance, pampered to the hilt.
For 12 days, we meandered through five countries, traveled some 2,100 nautical miles, digested more meals than a gourmet chef gone berserk, and encountered more spectacles than I could have ever imagined in a lifetime.
For the better part of our journey - as American-born Armenians - we exercised our language fluently because that was protocol. Our grades improved 100 percent.
The flip side was Europe at its supreme best. Seven excursions gave us a glimpse of each port, as time would allow.
Our journey began in Barcelona two days before boarding the ocean liner. There, we got to see Gaudi's art and architecture, his most famous Sacred Family Church, the majestic Montserrat, a 16th-century Renaissance basilica, and walked the Ramblas with its eclectic Gothic Quarter.
That evening found us at a flamenco dance concert where complimentary sangrias were the order of the night. We paid enough for both but you don't follow a budget on an excursion like this, not unless you wish to grow spastic.
