I recently spent 2 weeks in Israel. Here are a few of the highlights in no particular order.

The Western Wall (aka Wailing Wall). This wall is believed to be part of the Second Temple that was built by King Herod in 19 BCE. The Second Temple was destroyed in 70 CE by the Romans.

The Western Wall on Friday at sundown. It was absolutely packed. The fence separates men and women.

This is the spot where it is believed that Jesus' body was prepared for burial after the crucifixion. Everyone was touching it, so I thought it couldn't hurt.

Found this place in Bethlehem. Better than the real thing.

The security barrier separating the West Bank from Israel. Getting back into Israel from the West Bank was crazy: 2 x-ray machines, 3 metal detectors, and a lot of guards with guns.

Baptizing myself in the River Jordan. This is where Jesus was supposedly baptized by John.

This is the olive grove where Jesus was supposedly betrayed by Judas. Carbon dating on some of the trees confirm that the trees are over 2,000 years old.

Shayna and me on the Mount of Olives with the Old City in the background. Immediately behind us are Jewish graves. It has been a gravesite for over 3,000 years and has over 150,000 graves. According to the Bible, those buried on the Mount of Olives will be the first to be resurrected when the messiah comes.

This is the "exact" spot where Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It is located within the Church of the Nativity.

Hummus is legit.

The Dome of the Rock is on the Temple Mount. It was built around the Foundation Stone in 691 CE. The Foundation Stone is the holiest site in Judaism because it is believed to be where the Ark of the Covenant was kept in the Second Temple. For Isalm, it is the spot where Muhammed supposedly ascended to Heaven with the angel Gabriel. It is also supposedly where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son to God. Non Muslims are not allowed to go inside.

Dome-bowing.

The Damascus Gate. One of the entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem.

Tebowing in the Crusader tunnels in Akko. Akko is a fantastically preserved city in the northern part of Israel.

This is supposedly the spot where Jesus was crucified. It is located within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.

Bethlehem street.

The Baha'i Gardens in Haifa are 18 garden terraces around the Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel. The Baha'i Faith is one of the world's youngest religions. It might be the most tolerant religion in the world.

I wonder how many people were tricked into thinking that Armenian "Pizza" is actually good.

We attended an Armenian service at the Cathedral of St. James in Jerusalem. For such a small population in Israel, the Armenian Church has a surprisingly large presence in Jerusalem and Israel.

Akko sea wall facing the Mediterranean.

In most Israeli bars, happy hour means 2 for the price of 1.

Trying to read the Lord's Prayer in Armenian.

Tomb-bowing.

Inside a Crusader fortress in Akko.

We Couchsurfed in Haifa with this awesome family. I think this was the seventh day of Hanukkah.

Best part about Israel: Guinness on tap everywhere.

Here are some highlights from the summer.

I recently discovered an amazing hike really close to Ijevan. The hike takes you to the Lastivir Caves and a place called Anapat. At the start of the hike, we walked along a ridge of a gorge.

Eventually we started hiking down into the gorge.

My friends, Andy and Nicole, exploring one of the many caves.

Towards the bottom of the gorge we found a series of waterfalls.

I think these caves are the coolest historical thing that I have seen in Armenia. These are pagan carvings that could predate the arrival of Christianity or this area could have been one of the last pagan holdouts after the conversion of Armenia in 301 C.E.

Face hidden on the path.

At the bottom of the gorge is a small river. It is the cleanest river that I have seen in Armenia because there are no towns or villages along it. The water was freezing.

My friend Darryn invited a few people to his town for a birthday BBQ.

There was mandatory dancing after 4 or 5 bottles of vodka.

I was so excited to see my first boxing match ever. However, I was disappointed immensely because the matches were either heavily lopsided or maybe even rigged in favor of the Armenian boxers.

Serj Tankian played a free concert to commemorate the opening of the TUMO Center. The TUMO Center is a non-profit technology school in Yerevan. In order to get in the front row, we had to get to the concert a few hours early.

Or else we would've been stuck in the back. There were close to 10,000 people at this concert.

The band Dorians opened for Serj Tankian. They were surprisingly awesome. They sang songs in English and Armenian. Here is a link to one of their Armenian songs. The old guy in the video is a famous Armenian cellist. Here is a link to one of their English songs.

The man himself, Serj Tankian. He played an awesome show. So far, going to this concert is the most amazing thing that I have done in Armenia.

Last month, I participated in a project called Border 2 Border. Two groups of six walked the entire length of Armenia. One group started at the Georgian border and my group started at the Iranian border. We met in the middle of the country. Along the way we taught health classes in various villages and towns. Each group walked about 275 kilometers (171 miles) in 17 days. Here are some highlights.

We had to carry everything, so we had to get the most out of the food we carried. Homemade granola was a must.

We usually started walking as early as possible. We would walk about 7-8 hours a day.

The best part of the walk for me was getting to see the beautiful landscape of the southern part of the country.

This is Tatev Monastery. It is the most impressive monastery that I have seen in Armenia. The world's longest tramway leads Tatev from a village located 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) away.

Tatev dates back to the 9th century. It was destroyed many times, once during an earthquake and a few times by invading armies. It is still undergoing reconstruction.

Joel and Mike were in my group and were constantly singing or playing guitar. Hippies.

During the physical fitness portion of our health classes, I would demonstrate various exercises. For some reason the kids really liked running in place.

The kids that attended our classes in Tatev.

We didn't always walk on paved roads. Sometimes we didn't walk on roads at all.

We found these two puppies at the top of a mountain that we had to hike over. They had rope leashes attached to them. Somebody brought them to there to die. We cut the ropes off and they followed us/we carried them to the next village. We found 2 kids who were wanted them. A Peace Corps volunteer lives there and checks up on them.

Back on paved roads and avoiding cars.

This is Vorotnavank. Another amazing monastery that we passed along the way.

A goat path that we had to walk to get to our next stop.

A small lake.

The Southern Team after we passed the border into the Vayots Dzor region.

Almost everybody had some sort of foot problem. Blisters were most common. I lost 2 toenails.

Vayots Dzor was beautiful, but by far the hottest place that I have been in Armenia. Walking here sucked.

The Peace Corps region manager for the south joined us for a day on our walk to Vayk.

The southern team at our final destination. For those of you who can't read Armenian or Russian, the town is called Yeghegnadzor.

We had one final health presentation. For this one we were able to make a lot of posters. This one says "Run!" and "Don't Smoke!"

An anti-smoking poster.

Both of the groups together. That is a big jug of homemade wine in my hand.

I've been in Armenia for over a year now. Here are some more pics of Ijevan and the surrounding area.

This is Goshavank Monestary. It is located just south of Ijevan. It was built in the 12th century. It is home to one of the finest, if not the finest, Khachkar in the world.

This is the famous Khachkar of Goshavank. It was carved in 1291 by the artist Poghos. It is commonly referred to as the "Needle" Khachkar because of how fine the carvings are.

This is Aghavnavank Church. It is located deep inside of one of Armenia's few forest reserves. It was built in the 11th century. It is in major need of revovations if it is to be preserved.

This is a tomb that was discovered in a school yard when the principal decided to do some illegal renovations. The tomb is over 3,000 years old and contained many intact pots, bones, jewelry, and a beautiful sword.

This is Mkaravank. It is a church complex. The first church (small one in the back) was built in the 11th century. The larger church (in the foreground) was built in the 13th century.

These are just a few of the khachkars at Mkaravank.

I was in Ijevan to celebrate Victory Day. Victory Day is the holiday that celebrates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. All of these guys fought for the Soviet Army during WWII.

As part of the Victory Day celebration, almost everyone in Ijevan marched to the WWII Memorial to place flowers and listen to speeches.

My sitemates, Andy and Nicole, and I on a hike. The abandoned ferris wheel is behind us.

Elodie (a French volunteer in Ijevan), Andy, and me sitting by the part of our river that is not filled with garbage.

This is my friend David at his birthday celebration. If it wasn't for David, I would not have seen as many of the cool ruins/churches/excavations around Ijevan.

This is Armen. He has tutored me in Armenian a lot, but most importantly he invites me over to his house to watch NFL and NBA games all the time. He is moving to New Mexico in August to get his master's degree. Those of you in New Mexico will for sure meet him when I come back.

The Ijevan crew making a hybrid Armenian/American meal, barbecue chicken and grilled vegetables.

As American as I could get. Jack Daniels, a cigar, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Seal Team 6 did something on this day.

After being in Armenia for 8 continuous months, I had to get out. I went to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Here are a few pictures.

This is a view from the top of Narikala Fortress. The fortress was established in the 4th century, but the structures that stand now date from the 18th and early 19th centuries.

You can see the world's 3rd tallest Eastern Orthodox Church through the crenellation of one of the fortress towers.

One of the walls of Narikala fortress.

Tbilisi is one of the coolest cities that I have ever seen at night. Narikala Fortress at night.

Globalization at its finest.

These are the domes that cover some of the famous sulphur baths of Tbilisi. According to legend, a Georgian king was hunting with a falcon and his falcon injured a pheasant. The pheasant fell into a hot spring and was fully cooked by the time the king retrieved it. The king then decided to build a city around the springs. The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi. It is the 3rd tallest Eastern Orthodox Church in the world.

There are signs like this throughout the city. Becoming part of NATO would infuriate Russia.

I can get sushi in Armenia as well, but this meal was the best meal that I have had since leaving the promised land of the United States of America.

I am about one-third of the way through my Peace Corps service in Armenia. Here are some pictures about my life in Ijevan.

The top of this hill has a great view of Ijevan.

Two of my site-mates and me at the top of the same hill.

This is a Marshutni. This is my primary mode of transportation when I go to Yerevan or anywhere else in the country. I have been in one of these when there have been 20 people packed inside.

Drinking American coffee on my balcony. I have made it for my host family, but it is not sweet enough for them.

All of my laundry hung out to dry. Luckily, my host grandmother refuses to let me do my own laundry.

This is the path that I have to take to get to my house.

A Soviet era ferris wheel rusting away.

This was one of my family's New Year dinners. New Year's is the biggest holiday in Armenia. It starts with a dinner that begins at midnight on December 31st. Friends and family visit each other and eat together until January 10th.

My host sister, host grandma, me, my host father, host mother.

As the night progressed, we ended up dancing Armenian style which means moving your arms above your head and twirling. Andy (far right) loves to dance.

My host father, Vardan, grilling up some deer and pork. This is called khorovats and it is my favorite food in Armenia.

The deer and pork before it was devoured.

I was getting a little out of control by the end of the night...

I've had a few months to explore Ijevan and I've found some interesting things.

Here is a sculpture on top of one of the walls at my host father's cafe. He claims it is 1000 years old, but I haven't found his carbon dating equipment yet. It is a carving of a mountain lion. You can see the balcony of my house in the background.

This is the WWII Memorial for the Armenians who fought in the Soviet army. It is across the street from one of my offices.

I have no idea what this statue is supposed to be. Surprisingly, this is not the weirdest statue that I have seen in Armenia.

This is a sculpture that is located in the "Rock Garden." In the 1980s, Ijevan was the site of many art symposiums dedicated to sculpture. The park was gradually filled with sculptures.

Here is one of the nicest houses in Ijevan. This is an exception to the rule when it comes to houses in Armenia. The building in the left corner is a Soviet-era apartment complex.

Sodas for sale on the side of the road? Nope, this is the Ijevan gas station.

Guard dog on a roof. No clue.

A huge eagle in a tiny cage at a cafe in Ijevan.

A Soviet carousel rusting away. Kids still play on it.

The abandoned Ijevan hotel is a relic of the days when Ijevan was a tourist destination for people in the Soviet Union.

Ever wonder where the t-shirts of the losing Super Bowl teams go? They come to Armenia. This is a San Diego Chargers Super Bowl Champs shirt from 1995. Grumps, I'll try to find you one, because it's the closest you'll ever get.

I have been in Ijevan for a little over a month. I have not taken as many pictures as I wanted, but here are a few. Most of them are from a party that my host family threw. The party was for my host mother's father who had died 7 years ago.

Two of my site-mates, Andy and Matt, and I taking one of many vodka shots at the party.

Matt and I taking another shot with my host father.

After eating and drinking for about 4 hours we hiked to the family's chapel.

A close up of the chapel.

Inside of the chapel, where we lit candles for my host mother's father. I also lit candles for my loved ones who have passed away.

Located very near the family chapel are some ruins. These ruins were the home of 2 holy brothers. It is a shrine now.

Within the shrine, we lit more candles for our loved ones who have passed away.

This is tree at the shrine. According to my host father, it is holy and is hundreds of years old.

You can never get enough pictures of Ararat. This one is from my training village, Karenis.

Andy and I taking a shot of some Armenian Cognac during a dinner at my host family's cafe. Armenian Cognac was Winston Churchill's favorite drink. I was lucky enough to drink some cognac from 1957. I now know why it was his favorite.

I have moved to my permanent site of Ijevan and I have been here for a little over a week.

This is the fountain in the town square of Ijevan at night.

This is Armine. She is my counterpart at one of my NGOs. At this NGO, I am going to try to help them manage their volunteers. In this picture, we were sitting at our booth at an employment fair.

The woman to my right is my counterpart from my other NGO. Her name is Olga. I will be teaching basic computer classes and business classes with her. At the same employment fair, she offered me and the other Peace Corps Volunteers some Armenian Cognac.

My new room in Ijevan. It's a little smaller than my last one, but I have 3 beds again.

I was invited to go to an archaeological dig in Ijevan. This is the outer wall of a fortress that dates back to 700 BCE. The area around Ijevan has traces of human inhabitance 4000 years old, so there are a lot of ruins. I met an Armenian archaeologist from Ijevan and he said he would show me a lot of other sites.

My first archaeological find in Armenia. It's a pot sherd.

My host brother Grigor with a kitten that he found.

Here's a hedgehog that my host brother caught. Hedgehogs are not as fast as Sonic the Hedgehog would have you believe.

So, I had to make an appearance in America, but I am on my way back to Armenia. I am sitting in the airport in Vienna, Austria. I am waiting for my flight to Yerevan. I visited Vienna when I first came out here in May, but never posted pictures. Here are a few. Sorry, it is short. And I am especially sorry that I am not in any of them.

I think this is the front of the Austrian Parliament.

Another shot of Parliament?

A view of Vienna from the top of St. Stephen's Cathedral.

St. Stephen's Cathedral. Construction of it began around 1160 and was finished around 1511. You can see that it is being cleaned from the top down.

A dirty carving versus a clean one.

Another view of the Cathedral.

This is Gerhard Monastery. I will post a detailed history of this incredible place when I have more time.

This is just above the entrance to the main church.

The room in which this column was located was completely carved out of the mountain.

One of the churches that was carved out of the mountain.

This is the Temple of Mythra. It is the only standing pagan temple in Armenia. I will post a more detailed history of this temple when I have more time.

A close up of the temple.

The Armenian Genocide Memorial.

Inside of the memorial.

My host family's puppy. Her name is Rob.

Me, Rex, and Darryn sitting outside of our school.

My boss from one of my NGOs grilling up some pork.

The view from my balcony in Ijevan. I move here next week.

The ruins of a fort at the top of a mountain we hiked. The view from the top was stunning.

The hike back from the fort. The fort is at the top of the mountain in the background.

This is the gazebo in Karenis where we hang out a lot. Mt. Ararat is in the background.

This is one of the vodka aisles. I love Armenia.

My gigantic room. I have three beds if anyone wants to come to Karenis in the next month.

Me and Alan at a Khoravats with our two families.

Me, Naira (my language teacher), and Erin (another trainee in my village). I think we were walking to our gazebo.

Me in front of a monument stone. These things litter the country.

Ruins of a church that I found on a hike.

Me on top of the mountain that we hiked. I'll post more pics of the fort that was perched on top of it later.

A common site from Karenis.

On my first night with my host family, we had an Armenian BBQ. These are the men of my family and me. I don't think Armenians know how to smile.

The gorge of Karenis.

Kilikia Beer is terrible.

A view of Mt. Aragots from my village.

A beautiful 10th century church near my village that is still in use.

I have accepted a Peace Corps posting in Armenia. I will be in the Community and Business Development Program. I depart May 27th. This blog is to chronicle my time abroad.